Species BirdsBrant

Brant

Branta bernicla

UncommonBird
Illustration of Brant (Branta bernicla)

The Brant is a small, dark sea-goose that winters almost exclusively in coastal estuaries and bays where eelgrass grows. It migrates in low, winding flocks along coastlines rather than the classic V-formation of Canada Geese. When eelgrass beds were devastated by wasting disease in the 1930s, Atlantic Brant populations collapsed by over 85%.

Habitat
Coastal estuaries, bays, and tidal flats
Diet
Eelgrass, sea lettuce, and other marine vegetation
How common
Uncommon

Recent Brant sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Brant? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.

Get Huck — free

More birds

Acorn Woodpecker
Acorn Woodpecker
Melanerpes formicivorus
American Avocet
American Avocet
Recurvirostra americana
American Bittern
American Bittern
Botaurus lentiginosus
American Black Duck
American Black Duck
Anas rubripes
American Coot
American Coot
Fulica americana
American Crow
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
American Flamingo
American Flamingo
Phoenicopterus ruber
American Golden-Plover
American Golden-Plover
Pluvialis dominica