The Bar-headed goose is the most striking of the grey geese. The name of this very gracefully built bird derives from the two prominent horse shoe shaped, brownish-black bars enhancing the white head.

The general colour is pale grey. A slightly greater wing area for its weight, compared with other geese, enables the Bar-headed to migrate at exceptionally high altitudes over the Himalayas. The breeding is largely Central Asia and migration for the winter is to India, Assam and northern Burma.

The favoured summer habitats are the lakes at high altitudes where the short surrounding grass is appreciated.

Most winter grazing areas are currently under cultivation and the Bar-headed has become reliant on wheat, barley and rice crops resulting in considerable damage to the shoots of these crops.

Breeding is inclined to be in colonies consisting of thousands of birds. Avian predators, such as ravens, crows, kites and sea eagles, as well as foxes take their toll, but the overall population is possibly increasing.

This beautiful goose is well represented in collections. The elegant shape, pretty colour and the long slim neck are particularly appealing. It is perfectly hardy and breeds readily. Being highly sociable it does not molest other birds.