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

Best time to see a Brant

The best time to see a Brant is January–April, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 15,233 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Brant? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

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, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Brant is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love birds? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More birds

Brewer's Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
Euphagus cyanocephalus
Broad-billed Hummingbird
Broad-billed Hummingbird
Cynanthus latirostris
Broad-winged Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Buteo platypterus
Brown Booby
Brown Booby
Sula leucogaster
Brown Creeper
Brown Creeper
Certhia americana
Brown Noddy
Brown Noddy
Anous stolidus
Brown Pelican
Brown Pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis
Brown Thrasher
Brown Thrasher
Toxostoma rufum