Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus) | Species | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 (1/320th sec at f11. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)  (1/320th sec at f11. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings) DescriptionL: 71 - 76 cm The Bar-Headed Goose is pale grey and is easily distinguished from any of the other grey geese of the genus Anser by the black bars on its head. It is also much paler than the other geese in this genus. It is probably the world's highest-flying bird, having been recorded at an altitude of 6,540 metres (21,460 ft) over the Himalayas. In summer it is found in Tibet, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Russia. In winter it is found in parts of South Asia (from Assam to as far south as Tamil Nadu). Its summer habitat is high-altitude lakes. In winter its habitat is cultivated fields, where it feeds on barley, rice and wheat. Bar-headed Geese migrate over the Himalayas to spend the winter in south Asia, and back again in spring to reach their breeding habitat. The Bar-headed Goose has been introduced to Britain and it is known to be breeding here. Sightings
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