Barnacle goose

The barnacle goose is a striking black-and-white goose with a crisp, neat look. It belongs to the Branta family, known for their dark plumage, unlike their grey cousins. Though it resembles the brant goose, DNA tests reveal its closest relative is actually the cackling goose.

• Black plumage sets it apart from grey geese species.
• Genetically closer to cackling geese than brant geese.
• Part of the Branta genus, known for dark feathers.