Friday, 30 May 2014

Anser anser, greylag goose, grågås

The greylag goose is named for its migratory habits: It lags behind other species in the sense that it usually migrates later.


Lumix GH4 camera with Lumix G 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 at ISO 200, 1/320s, 84mm, f/7.1.

In Norway, the number of greylag geese has increased significantly during the last two decades. As it graces on grassy plains and farmland, it causes quite some nuisance. Grass is not particularly high in nutrients, and geese have to eat almost continuously in order to gain any nourishment from it.



Sunday, 4 May 2014

Larus argentatus 2k, European herring gull, gråmåke

Gulls are also very commonly seen in Oslo, like many other coastal cities. Just like the pigeons, they are also often considered pests. This individual is an European herring gull, around two years old, and it appears to have lost its right leg. It was less mobile than the other birds around: As I was getting closer, all the other birds flew away.


Lumix GH3 camera with Lumix G 100-300mm f/4-5.6 at ISO 200, 1/800s, 240mm, f/9.

Young gulls are mainly brown with darker streaks, while the birds have a whiter head and underparts with less streaking during the second year. At about four years old, they look like the adult birds.



These are omnivores like most gulls, and will scavenge from garbage dumps, landfill sites, and sewage outflows, with refuse comprising up to half of the bird's diet. It also steals the eggs and young of other birds, including those of other gulls.