The Greylag Goose of Belarus 2009

The Ministry of Communications and Information of the Republic of Belarus have issued the stamp “Grey goose” from the series “A bird of the year” prepared by the Publishing Centre “Marka”of the EUR“Belpochta” on  March 31, 2009 .

Anser anser or The Greylag Goose , Grey Goose is a bird species of the genus Anser. occurs with a wide range in the Old World  included :Africa, Asia, and Europe (collectively known as Afro-Eurasia), plus surrounding islands. This species is the ancestor of domesticated geese in Europe and North America. Flocks of feral birds derived from domesticated birds are widespread.

The Greylag Goose is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.

This species is  apparently breeding where suitable localities are to be found in many European countries and extends across Asia to China.The breeding habitat is a variety of wetlands including marshes, lakes, and damp heather moors.

The Grey Goose is the largest and bulkiest of the grey Anser geese. The characteristics body are  has a rotund, bulky body, a thick and long neck, and a large head and bill. The pink colour of  legs and feet, and the orange or pink  colour of  bill.The Grey Goose sized is 75 to 90 centimetres  long with a wing length of 41.2 to 48 centimetres .The plumage of the GreyGoose is greyish-brown, with a darker head and paler belly with variable black spots. Its plumage is patterned by the pale fringes of its feathers. It has a white line bordering its upper flanks. Its coverts are lightly coloured, contrasting with its darker flight feathers.

The Grey Goose (Greylag Goose) is migratory, moving south or west in winter. This species is one of the last to migrate, and the "lag" portion of its name is said to derive from this lagging behind other geese.

The stamp is issued with the assistance of the public organization “Ahova  ptushak Batskaushchyny” (Protection of Homeland Birds) and declared the grey goose a bird of the year 2009.

There are logos of the International organization of birds protection "Birdlife International" and Belarus public organization "Ahova ptushak Batskaushchyny" (APB)on the stamps.

A maximum card of Grey Goose has been issued too.