Pale-bellied Brent, New York

By Charlie • March 11, 2007 • 3 comments

Pale-bellied Brent Branta bernicla hrota
Jones Beach, New York State. 11 March 2007

Variously considered one of three forms of Brent Goose Branta bernicla [or four forms if the contentious Grey-bellied Brent is included] or a species in its own right, the Pale-bellied Brent - also known as the Atlantic Brant in the US - breeds in Franz Josef Land, Svalbard, Greenland and northeastern Canada, and winters in Denmark, northeast England, Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland and the Atlantic coast of the U.S. from Maine to Georgia.

Pale-bellied Brent

Adult:

Pale-bellied Brent

1st Winter:

Pale-bellied Brent

Photographed in March, note the off-white upperwing covert tips of these 1st winter birds which produce the barred effect until moult in the second year. The neck patch, which looks very similar to a full adult’s, develops by the birds’ first winter around November/December, and the pale flanks which separate 1st winters from the dark flanked juveniles would have appeared around October.

Pale-bellied Brent

All photos copyright Charlie Moores

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About the Author

Charlie

Charlie works for an airline and has birded all over the world for twenty years. He wants to be a writer, and thinks no-one would believe his life could be so charmed if he didn't take photos of as many of the birds he sees as possible. Blogging with 10,000 Birds fits his aims, needs, and insecurities perfectly. Really - do birders get much more fortunate than this?

3 Responses to “Pale-bellied Brent, New York”

Denise Dec 20th, 2009 at 11:31 pm

Hi,
I appreciate your pictures of the pale bellied brent. I have been trying to identify this bird for over a year. I see loads of them along the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn/Queens. Your beautiful photos have helped my identify them. I think I am right. I live in New Jersey and we have not seen them that far south. They leave the area when the weather warms, except for a few. Have you gotten a chance to see them in this area?
Corey Dec 20th, 2009 at 11:44 pm

@Denise: You are undoubtedly seeing these birds along the Belt…they are common there from October-May. From May-October they are up in the tundra making more of their kind.
Denise Dec 21st, 2009 at 8:43 am

They are curious looking birds. They could easily be mistaken as Canadian Geese, but their necks are much shorter. Enjoy watching them even though I am driving at 50 mph, :).

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