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Brant (Branta bernicla)    Ducks, Geese and Waterfowl (Anatidae)
Knortegås ~ Ganso de Collar ~ Prutgås
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Most obvious distinction between adult and first years is that the adults have upper wing coverts without broad white edges, thus, a more uniformly looking bird. Also, it has strong whitish patches on the side of the upper neck, lacking in the young plumage.
Brant 2364    (11 photos)
2016-11-13    Dragør Kommune, Denmark

Subspecies: bernicla
Family flock - 2 adults and 4 young birds. The age field marks are very clear here: Adults with the heavy neck patch, whitish vertical lines toward the flank and uniformly colored gray wing coverts. The only birds I saw this year. Apparently a late family stopping over for a while to forage before heading further on toward the Channel region. Dark-bellied because of the dark belly and flank, and dark between the legs. The only type of Brant regularly seen in the eastern part of Denmark.


Brant 3199    (4 photos)
2019-10-14    Kongelundsområdet, Denmark

Subspecies: bernicla
Adult birds with white neck patch and juveniles without it and with much less flank barring. Dark-bellied bernicla is the common subspecies in this part of Denmark. Light-bellied hrota normally only seen in Jutland, and even though the distance is as little as a few hundred kilometers, this separation is a very consistent habit.

A few hundred birds were roosting this day.



Brant 3213    (3 photos)
2019-11-01    Amager Strandpark, Denmark

Subspecies: bernicla
Young bird with white tips to wing coverts and back feathers plus no white neck patch. Also the uniformly dark belly and flanks without indication of vertical streaking is an age mark.

4 or 5 were lying on the water and this one joined them when yet another notoriously ignorant dog owner chased off the bird.



Brant 3457    (4 photos)
2020-07-11    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Subspecies: [hrota (Atlantic)]
Pale-bellied with clear demarcation between neck and breast. Rare visitor to this part of Denmark.

Rare
Brant 3645    (2 photos)
2021-10-28    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Subspecies: bernicla
Adult.
Dark-bellied.



Brant 3646    (3 photos)
2021-10-30    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Adult.



Brant 3638    (2 photos)
2021-10-31    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Subspecies: bernicla
Adult.
Aged by lack of whitish edges to the coverts. I'm not sure if the different nuances of the coverts is a simple reflection of worn vs. new adult feathers or if it indicates that it is young adult, 2cy bird. The weak necklace could indicate the latter.

A privilege, every year, to have few of these birds visiting and allowing one to come this close.



Brant 3639    (2 photos)
2021-10-31    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Subspecies: bernicla
Dark-bellied.

Adult and first year. Probably family.



Brant 4336    (2 photos)
2022-11-18    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Subspecies: bernicla
Adult. The dike 100 meters north of Nordtårnet. A single bird limping and grassing on top of the dike.


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