Birds of North Carolina
their Distribution and Abundance
Scientific Name:
Common Name:
 Family (Alpha):
ANATIDAE Members: Barnacle Goose 12210
General Comments
The Barnacle Goose is a casual or accidental visitor to coastal areas of the United States, as well as to North Carolina, with large numbers of other geese. Its status is somewhat unsettled because of the difficulty in determining the origin of birds, as the species is kept in captivity. To be conservative, a number of states have not accepted records as being of wild birds. In 1990, the NC BRC also took this position (Chat 54:54). However, in 2004, the NC BRC accepted a report (with photos) as being of wild provenance, and thus the species has been afforded a place on the Official List. All five of the older reports from state took place in areas where large numbers of waterfowl wintered, at an appropriate time of year (late fall and early winter) when one might assume natural vagrants to appear in the state.
Breeding Status
Nonbreeder
NC BRC List
Definitive
State Status
none
U.S. Status
Definitive
State Rank
SA
Global Rank
G4G5
Coastal Plain
Accidental or casual winter visitor to coastal/tidewater areas, on fresh water; apparently more frequent many decades ago. The only accepted record is of one seen and photographed at Mattamuskeet NWR from 9 Nov - 29 Dec 2003* (Chat 69:29); photo is posted on the Carolina Bird Club Photo Gallery. There are 4 additional reports: two taken by a hunter in Currituck Sound, 31 Oct 1870; one shot there, 22 Nov 1892; one shot near Pea Island, 24 Nov 1925; and one seen at Pea Island, 6 Nov 1949. These additional reports probably need re-review for provenance.

A presumed Barnacle x Cackling Goose was seen and photographed just east of Creswell (Washington) on 17-26 Feb 2023 (Chat 87:31).

Piedmont
Accidental. One seen at Gaddy's Pond (Anson), 28 Dec 1950 has not been reviewed by an NC BRC. Several other reports (mainly in Guilford), but none were accepted as being of wild/natural origin.
Mountain
No records.
Finding Tips
Always thoroughly check flocks of Canada Geese for this species.