Bar-headed Goose

The Bar-headed Goose breeds at high-altitude lakes across the Tibetan Plateau and Central Asia and is famous for its migratory flights over the Himalayas, reaching some of the highest altitudes recorded for any bird during long-distance migration. It winters in lowland wetlands and farmland across South and Southeast Asia.

Body feathers are pale gray-brown, evenly fringed with a lighter shade to give subtle scaling across the back and flanks. The head is white, marked by two bold black bars—one across the crown and one behind it toward the nape—a pattern unique among geese and highly diagnostic even from isolated head feathers. A white stripe of feathering also runs down each side of the neck, contrasting against the darker feathers of the neck itself. Legs are orange-yellow.

Sexes are alike. Juveniles show a duller, grayer head lacking the crisp black bars of adults, developing the full head pattern with maturity.

Breeds at high-altitude lakes and wetlands across the Tibetan Plateau, Mongolia, and parts of Central Asia. Migrates over the Himalayas to winter in lowland wetlands, rivers, and agricultural fields across India and neighboring parts of South and Southeast Asia.

Grazes on grasses, grain, and other vegetation, often in large flocks on wintering grounds. Highly gregarious and vocal, giving loud honking calls. Nests on the ground, sometimes on islands or cliff ledges near high-altitude lakes, offering some protection from ground predators. Renowned among ornithologists for sustained high-altitude flight during migration.