The Black Brant Goose
The black brant is a migratory goose that makes a journey as long as the one accomplished by the grey whale.
They leave their western Alaskan breeding grounds during fall to spend the winter in the western coast of the Baja California peninsula.
There, you can watch this bird in San Quintín bay, within the limits of the Ensenada Municipality.
Also in the southern lagoons such as
- Ojo de Liebre
- and San Ignacio.
The Ojo de Liebre Lagoon is in the Municipality of Mulegé, near Guerrero Negro, in Baja California Sur.
The lagoon is within the limits of one of the most productive salterns in the world, and is located within the Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve.
Approximately 100 thousand black brants arrive to the Mexican peninsula after a journey of about 8, 500 miles.
This international traveller flies an average of 75 hours from north to south.
But the return to their northern breeding habitat is done over a longer period of time due to their numerous stops in estuaries, beaches and bays to rest and feed.
During their stay in Baja the goose feed mainly on sea weed and sea grass, rich sources of protein.
Black Brant Goose Characteristics
You can identify this small goose by their black neck and black head, adorned with the characteristic white "necklace".
Their wings are dark brown and their chest and belly are also white.
This shy bird is very susceptible to disturbance.
They are constantly threatened by hunters, air and marine traffic, and by their natural predators such as the bald eagle.
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