Episode 81: Loosey Goosey (Barnacle Goose)
From Dirty Bird Podcast by Dirty Bird
January 21, 2026 · 46 min · Season 1 · Episode 81
About this episode
Dr. John discusses the Barnacle Goose, covering its breeding strategies, identification, diet, population status, and evolutionary history.
HONK! In this listener suggested episode, Dr. John covers his first species of the family Anseriformes (Ducks, Geese, Swans) by talking about the Arctic specialist the Barnacle Goose. This bird is super interesting- everything from its breeding strategy to avoid predators from the really interesting origin of its common name. Can you believe people used to think the Barnacle Goose was a crustacean and not a bird?! Learn how to identify this bird from its plumage and vocalizations. Also learn all about what it likes to eat and how it makes babies. Dr. John also explored the population status of the Barnacle Goose over time. Finally, we end the episode with good ole' evolutionary history and duck-dive into the origins of geese way back in the Cretaceous alongside dinosaurs. . Intro music by Ricky Pistone and outro by the Sidewalk Slammers. Check them out wherever you get your music . All Bird sounds are from Xeno-Canto.org . Intro call by David Darrel-Lambert . Yapping calls by Lars Edenius . Type A Call by Petter Westberg . Type B call by Patrik Aberg . Cacophony of Barnacle Geese by Hans Norelius
People in this episode
Host: John
Topics covered
- Barnacle Goose
- Anseriformes
- breeding strategy
- evolutionary history
Keywords
- Arctic specialist
- plumage
- vocalizations
- Cretaceous
- dinosaurs
Mentioned in this episode
Products: the Barnacle Goose
Places: Arctic
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