Barnacle goose Barnacle goose The barnacle goose ("Branta leucopsis") belongs to the genus "Branta" of black geese, which contains species with largely black plumage, distinguishing them from the grey "Anser" species. Despite its superficial similarity to the brant goose, genetic analysis has shown it is an eastern derivative of the cackling goose lineage. The barnacle goose was first classified taxonomically by Johann Matthäus Bechstein in 1803. "Branta" is a Latinised form of Old Norse "Brandgás", "burnt (black) goose" and the specific epithet is from the Ancient Greek "leukos" "white", and "opsis" "faced". The barnacle goose and the similar brant goose were previously
Red-breasted goose Red-breasted goose The red-breasted goose ("Branta ruficollis") is a brightly marked species of goose in the genus "Branta" from Eurasia. It is sometimes separated in "Rufibrenta" but appears close enough to the brant goose ("Branta bernicla") to make this unnecessary, despite its distinct appearance. It is currently classified as vulnerable by the IUCN. "Branta" is a Latinised form of Old Norse "Brandgás", "burnt (black) goose and "ruficollis" is from the Latin "rufus" "red" and "collis" "necked". All the species of the genus "Branta" are distinguished by their dark sooty colour, relieved by white, and as a distinction from the grey