Biometrics were taken from 242 Red-breasted Geese Branta ruficollis caught in
summer on the Taimyr, Yamal and Gydan Peninsulas, arctic Russia in 1996 and
2007–2014, and from 94 birds during four catches on the wintering grounds in
Bulgaria in 2011–2014. These biometrics represent the first published data of body
measurements, flat wing lengths and mass for Red-breasted Geese using sample sizes
of more than 14 birds. Males were larger than females amongst adults and first-winter
birds. Adult male body mass was lower in winter than during moult, whereas females
showed no significant difference. In common with some other arctic-moulting goose
species, the mass of most adult geese remained constant throughout the flightless
moult period; however, the mass of non-breeding adult females declined. An index
of adult winter flat wing length x body mass was a 100% accurate predictor of sex
determined by cloacal eversion (n= 22), but was less successful in determining the
sex of first-winter birds (92–93%, n= 27).
Biometrics of Red-breasted Geese Branta ruficollis (PDF Download Available). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/289108125_Biometrics_of_Red-breasted_Geese_Branta_ruficollis [accessed Jan 19 2018].