Goose barnacle migrate, it was thought that barnacle geese, "Branta leucopsis", developed from this crustacean, since they were never seen to nest in temperate Europe, hence the English names "goose barnacle", "barnacle goose" and the scientific name "Lepas anserifera" (, "goose"). The confusion was prompted by the similarities in colour and shape. Because they were often found on driftwood, it was assumed that the barnacles were attached to branches before they fell in the water. The archdeacon of Brecon, Gerald of Wales, made this claim in his "Topographia Hiberniae". Since barnacle geese were thought to be "neither flesh, nor born of flesh",
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