Anser anser
Rare and Endangered Animals of Armenia
The Greylag Goose
File:200px-Greylag Goose 800.jpg The Greylag Goose (Anser anser) is a bird of exceedingly wide range in the Old World, apparently breeding where suitable localities are to be found in most European countries from Lapland to Spain and Bulgaria. Eastwards it extends to China, but does not seem to be known in Japan. It is the type species of the genus Anser. It was once known as the Wild Goose (Anser ferus).
It is the only species indigenous to the British Islands, and in former days bred abundantly in the English Fen country, where the young were caught in large numbers and kept in a more or less reclaimed condition with the vast flocks of tame-bred geese that at one time formed so valuable a property to the dwellers in and around the Fens.
The Greylag is a large goose, with a large head and almost triangular pink or orange-pink bill. The legs are pink, and the bird is easily identified in flight by the pale leading edge to the wing.
It has a loud cackle like the domestic goose.
It is impossible to determine when the wild Greylag Goose ceased breeding in England, but it certainly did so towards the end of the 18th century, for Daniell mentions (Rural Sports, iii. 242) his having obtained two broods in one season. In Scotland this goose continues to breed sparingly in several parts of the Highlands and in certain of the Hebrides, the nests being generally placed in long heather, and the eggs seldom exceeding five or six in number.
It is most likely the birds reared here that are from time to time obtained in England, for at the present day the wild Greylag Goose, though once so numerous, is, and for many years has been, rare in British Islands. Greylags have been reintroduced in many areas of the UK and numbers have increased significantly, however the flocks tend to be semi-tame in these areas. Flocks of Greylags are often mixed with Canada Geese and the two species may interbreed at times.
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Animal in Armenia
Մոխրագույն սագ ("Mokhraguyn sag")
Status
Rare species. The number is rapidly decreasing in Armenia.
Habitat in Armenia
In 1930 – 1940 were widely spread in all the water reservoirs of Armenia. Nowadays rarely met on Lake Sevan and Lake Arpa, more frequently – around River Arax.
Number in the wild
Was widely spread in 1950’s. Now is rarely met.
Reasons for decrease in number
Drainage of Lake Gilli and the pools and reservoirs around Lake Sevan. Another considerable reason is poaching.
Number in captivity
No data.
Measures of protection taken
Measures taken to raise the level of Lake Sevan.