VU
Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus



Taxonomy
IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- - A2bcd+3bcd+4bcd

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2018 Vulnerable A2bcd+3bcd+4bcd
2016 Vulnerable A2bcd+3bcd+4bcd
2013 Vulnerable A2bcd+3bcd+4bcd
2012 Vulnerable A2bcd+3bcd+4bcd
2008 Vulnerable A2b,c,d; A3b,c,d; A4b,c,d
2006 Vulnerable
2004 Vulnerable
2000 Vulnerable
1996 Vulnerable
1994 Vulnerable
1988 Threatened
Species attributes

Migratory status full migrant Forest dependency does not normally occur in forest
Land-mass type continent
Average mass -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 7,060,000 km2 medium
Extent of Occurrence (non-breeding) 21,900,000 km2 medium
Number of locations 11-100 -
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 16000-27000 mature individuals good estimated 2008
Population trend decreasing medium suspected 1998-2008
Rate of change over the past 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 30-49% - - -
Rate of change over the future 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 30-49% - - -
Rate of change over the past & future 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 30-49% - - -
Generation length 11.4 years - - -
Number of subpopulations 2-100 - - -
Percentage of mature individuals in largest subpopulation 1-89% - - -

Population justification: The most recent total population estimate is 24,000-40,000 individuals, which compares with previous published global estimates of 25,000 to 30,000 individuals (Lorentsen et al. 1999) and 22,000 to 27,000 (Delany and Scott 2006). This includes 10,000-21,000 individuals in autumn in its Western Palearctic range (Jones et al. 2008, Fox et al. 2010) and 14,000-19,000 individuals from the East Asian Flyway (Jia et al. 2016, C. Lei per A. Fox in litt. 2016). In 1988-1993, 64,000 individuals were recorded (Jia et al. 2016); in 1997, the number declined to 20,000 individuals (Li and Mundkur 2004), and to less than 17,000 individuals (Morozov and Syroechkovski 2005): 16,937 birds were counted in the Lower Yangtze Valley in 2004 (Barter et al. 2004), and 16,600 in East Dongting Lake Nature Reserve in 2004 (Barter 2005). The Russian populations have declined from a former estimate of 30,000-50,000 individuals (Morozov 1995). The Fennoscandian population has declined from more than 10,000 birds in the early 20th century.

Trend justification: This species's population is suspected to have decreased rapidly, owing to high levels of hunting on the staging and wintering grounds and habitat deterioration, largely as a result of land cultivation. The decrease in numbers has been accompanied by fragmentation of the breeding range and is continuing to affect all populations. Modelling indicates that 28% of the habitat for this species could be lost by 2070 (Zöckler and Lysenko 2000).


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
Afghanistan extant vagrant yes
Albania extant vagrant yes
Armenia extant native
Austria extant vagrant yes yes
Azerbaijan extant native yes yes
Belarus extant native yes
Belgium extant vagrant yes
Bosnia and Herzegovina extant native yes yes
Bulgaria extant native yes yes
China (mainland) extant native yes yes
Croatia extant native yes yes
Czechia extant vagrant yes
Denmark extant vagrant yes yes
Egypt extant vagrant
Estonia extant native yes
Finland extant native yes yes
France extant vagrant yes
Georgia extant native yes yes
Germany extant native yes
Greece extant native yes yes
Hungary extant native yes yes
India extant vagrant yes
Iran, Islamic Republic of extant native yes
Iraq extant native yes
Ireland extant vagrant
Israel extant vagrant yes
Japan extant native yes yes
Jordan extant vagrant yes
Kazakhstan extant native yes yes
Latvia extant native yes
Lithuania extant native yes
Moldova extant native yes yes
Mongolia extant native yes
Montenegro extant native yes yes
Myanmar extant vagrant yes
Netherlands extant reintroduced yes
North Korea extant native yes yes
North Macedonia extant native yes
Norway extant native yes yes
Oman extant vagrant yes
Pakistan extant vagrant yes
Poland extant native yes
Romania extant native yes yes
Russia extant native yes yes
Russia (Asian) extant native yes yes
Russia (Central Asian) extant native yes yes
Russia (European) extant native yes yes
Serbia extant native yes yes
Slovakia extant native yes yes
South Korea extant native yes yes
Spain extant vagrant
Sweden extant native yes yes
Switzerland extant vagrant
Syria extant native yes
Taiwan, China extant vagrant
Tajikistan extant native yes yes
Türkiye extant native yes yes
Turkmenistan extant native yes yes
Ukraine extant native yes yes
United Arab Emirates extant vagrant yes
United Kingdom extant vagrant
USA extant vagrant
Uzbekistan extant native yes yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
Belarus Mid Prypiac'
Sweden Tavvavouma
Sweden Lake Tjålme – Valley of Lais
Sweden Sjaunja
Greece Porto Lagos, lake Vistonida and coastal lagoons
Greece Evros delta
Greece Lake Kerkini
Greece Lake Ismarida (Mitrikou)
Greece Nestos delta and coastal lagoons
Finland Oulu region wetlands
Finland Sammutinjänkä-Vaijoenjänkä
Finland Käsivarsi fjelds
Russia (European) Flood-plain of Kotorosl' and Ust'e rivers
Russia (European) Sources of the River Luga
Russia (European) Kulaksay lowland
Russia (European) Middle reaches of Bolshaya Rogovaya river
Russia (European) Valley of Sysola river
Russia (European) Kargopol' area
Russia (European) Torna-Shoina watershed
Russia (European) Lake Il'men and adjoining marshy plain
Russia (European) Arski fish-ponds
Russia (European) Kamsko-Ikski area
Russia (European) Central Forest Biosphere Reserve and adjacent areas
Russia (European) Bulgarski
Russia (European) Shalkaro-Zhetykol'ski lake system
Russia (European) Dadynskiye lakes
Russia (European) Pinezhski Nature Reserve
Ukraine Syvash Bay
Armenia Lake Sevan and environs
Ukraine Yagorlyts'ka and Tendrivs'ka Bays
Ukraine Pivdennyj Bug river valley (Goloskiv village)
Ukraine Chauda
Ukraine Styr' river valley (Luchytsi village)
Türkiye Saros Bay
Afghanistan Hamun-i-Puzak
Iran, Islamic Republic of Anzali Mordab complex
Iran, Islamic Republic of Seyed Mohalli, Zarin Kola and Larim Sara
Iran, Islamic Republic of Miankaleh Peninsula and Gorgan Bay
Iran, Islamic Republic of Gomishan marshes and Turkoman steppes
Iran, Islamic Republic of Lake Alagol, Lake Ulmagol and Lake Ajigol
Iran, Islamic Republic of Incheh Borun lake and marshes
Iran, Islamic Republic of Dez river marshes and plains
Iran, Islamic Republic of Karun river marshes
Iran, Islamic Republic of Lake Maharlu
Iran, Islamic Republic of Lake Bakhtegan, Lake Tashk and Kamjan marshes
Iran, Islamic Republic of Shur Gol, Yadegarlu and Dorgeh Sangi lakes
Iran, Islamic Republic of Hilleh Protected Area
Russia (European) Sondugski Reserve and its outskirts
Russia (European) Sarpinskaya lake-system
Russia (European) Turali lakes
Russia (European) Berkubinski forest
Russia (European) Southern coast of Ladoga Lake
Russia (European) Petrocrepost' Bay
Russia (European) Curonian Bay
Russia (European) Yeiski salt-lakes
Russia (European) Neman river Delta and the coast of the Curonian Bay
China (mainland) Huma He Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Huzhong Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Nanweng He Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Xunbiela He Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Keluo He Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Fenglin Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Qindeli Sturgeon Reserve
China (mainland) Hala Hai
China (mainland) Laodengshan Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Zhalong Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Liangshui Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Naoli He Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Lianhuanhu Waterbird Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Qixing He Wetland Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Heiyupao Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Qihulin He Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Yangdali Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Yueya Hu Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Hukou Wetland Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Xingkai Hu Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Xianghai Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Nuomin - Bila He - Dayangshu
China (mainland) Nansihu Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Yubei Huanghe Gudao Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Kaifeng Liuyuankou Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Sanmenxia Dam Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Yancheng Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Chongming Dongtan Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Shijiu Hu (Anhui)
China (mainland) Shengjin Hu Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Poyang Hu wetlands
China (mainland) Chen Hu Wetland Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Longgan Hu Wetland Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Dongting Hu wetlands
Mongolia Valleys of Khurkh-Khuiten Rivers
Russia (Asian) Arkhara lowlands
Russia (Asian) Amur valley near Blagoveshensk
Russia (Asian) Northern slope of Khamar-Daban mountains
Russia (Asian) Korfa Gulf (northern part)
Russia (Asian) Khanka plain
Russia (Asian) Aniva bay
Russia (Asian) Shantarskiye Islands
Russia (Asian) Udyl' lake
Russia (Asian) Lebediny refuge (Markovo depression)
Russia (Asian) Lena delta
Russia (Asian) North Baikal wetlands
Russia (Asian) Bolon' lake
Russia (Asian) Trekhozerki lakes
Russia (Asian) Ulukhkol' lake
Russia (Asian) Kolyma delta
Russia (Asian) Terpyey-Tumus
Russia (Asian) Muna-Besyuke
Russia (Asian) Angara river source
Russia (Asian) Manily lakes
Russia (Asian) Malakchan bay
Russia (Asian) Gusikha river basin and lower Balakhnya river
Russia (Asian) Torey lakes
Russia (Asian) Forty Islands
Russia (Asian) Nevskoye Lake
Russia (Asian) Yana delta
Russia (Asian) San-Yuryakh
Russia (Asian) Zhupanovskiy lagoon
Russia (Asian) North-east Sakhalin lagoons
Russia (Asian) Lower Anadyr lowlands
Russia (Asian) Keremesit-Sundrun watershed
Russia (Asian) Abyy lowland
Russia (Asian) Kharchinskoye lake
Russia (Asian) Tyk and Viakhtu bays
Russia (Asian) Kolyma-Alazeya lowland
Russia (Asian) Malamvayam lagoon
Russia (Asian) Karaginskiy Island
South Korea Cheonsu Bay
Russia (Asian) Chaun delta
Russia (Asian) Parapol'skiy valley
Estonia Põhja-Liivimaa
Estonia Väinameri
Russia (European) Sviyago-Kubninskaya forest-steppe
Russia (European) Unskaya bay
Russia (European) Kuloy river
Russia (Central Asian) Valley of the Yorkutayakha river
Russia (Central Asian) Dvuob'ye
Azerbaijan Aggyol
Azerbaijan Lake Sarysu
Russia (Central Asian) Lower Ob'
Russia (Central Asian) Birsuat
Russia (European) Dedinovo flood-plain of Oka river
Russia (European) Karakulinskaya flood-plain
Russia (European) Zolotarevskaya area
Kazakhstan Zharsor-Urkash Salt Lakes
Kazakhstan Tassuat Lake
Kazakhstan Naurzum State Nature Reserve
Kazakhstan Kultansor and Tatysor Lakes
Kazakhstan Irgiz-Turgay Lakes
Russia (European) Flood-plain of Algashka river (Kirsko-Algashinskaya)
Russia (Central Asian) Basins of the Schuchya and Khadytayakha rivers
Bulgaria Shabla Lake Complex
Bulgaria Durankulak Lake
Uzbekistan Amudarya floodlands near Termez
Uzbekistan Dalverzin State Forestry and Hunting Management Area
Uzbekistan Tudakul and Kuymazar Reservoirs
Uzbekistan Karnabchul Steppe
Uzbekistan Karakyr Lakes
Turkmenistan Turkmenbashy Bay
Turkmenistan South Cheleken Bay
Kazakhstan Ashchykol and Barakkol Lakes
Kazakhstan Korgankol Lake
Kazakhstan Sarykopa Lake System
Kazakhstan Kulykol-Taldykol Lake System
Kazakhstan Zharkol Lakes
Kazakhstan Koybagar-Tyuntyugur Lake System
Kazakhstan Shoshkaly Lake System
Kazakhstan Kushmurun Lake
Russia (European) Kissyk area
Kazakhstan Bolshoy Kak Lake
Kazakhstan Sorbalyk-Maybalyk Lake System
Kazakhstan Maliy Kak Lake
Uzbekistan Chimkurgan Reservoir
Kazakhstan Balykty Lake
Russia (European) Lysyi Liman lake and valley of Vostochniy Manych river
Kazakhstan Akzhan Lake
Kazakhstan Sulukol Lake
Kazakhstan Kamyshovoe-Zhamankol Lakes
Kazakhstan Tounsor Hollow Lakes
Kazakhstan Sankebay Lakes
Hungary Hortobágy and Tisza-to
Russia (Central Asian) Kocherdyksky goose zakaznik
Russia (Central Asian) Schuch'i lakes
Russia (European) Floodplain of Cheptsa river
Russia (European) Downstream of Ik river
Russia (European) Steppes in the vicinity of Kanavka village
Russia (European) Kazachka
Russia (European) Agriculture lands of south and east of Novouzenski district
Russia (European) Floodplains of the Unzha river near Kologriv
Russia (European) Pinezhski meadow
Iraq Dalmaj Marsh
Romania Danube Delta
Romania Lake Techirghiol
Romania Jijiei şi Miletinului fish-ponds
Romania Lake Fundata
Romania Lake Strachina
Romania Lake Taşaul
Russia (Central Asian) Holes of the Karasuk river downstream
China (mainland) Fang Hu Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Huanzidong
China (mainland) Jiuduansha Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Shishankou Reservoir
China (mainland) Mengjin Huanghe Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Taipo Hu Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Yalu Jiang Estuary
Kazakhstan Shagyrkol and Mamyrkol lakes
Kazakhstan Batpakkol lake
Kazakhstan Salmanykol lake
Kazakhstan Russkiy Zharkol
Russia (Asian) Barluksko-Sayanskaya floodplain of Oka river and Kuitunskaya foreststeppe
Russia (Asian) Troitskoye lake
Norway Varanger Peninsula
Norway Inner Porsangerfjord
Norway Varangerfjord (including Hornøya and Reinøya)
Iraq Shuweicha Marsh
Iraq Himreen Lake
Iraq Teab Seasonal Wetlands
Iraq Dukan Lake
Russia (Asian) Kytalyk
Norway Iešjávri
Norway Sirbma fields
Azerbaijan Gizilagach
Netherlands Abtskolk & De Putten
Netherlands Lauwersmeer
Netherlands Oudeland van Strijen
Netherlands Zwanenwater & Pettemerduinen
Russia (European) Delta of the River Don
Russia (European) Veselovskoye reservoir
Russia (European) Islands in the western part of Lake Manych-Gudilo
Serbia Slano Kopovo
Russia (Asian) Anabar
Russia (Asian) Mechigmenskiy Gulf
Russia (Asian) Kurluska lake and middle Boganida valley
Russia (Asian) Volochanka river basin
Russia (Asian) Brekhovskiye islands
Russia (Asian) Dudypta river plains
Russia (Asian) Pura river basin

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Artificial/Terrestrial Arable Land suitable non-breeding
Artificial/Terrestrial Pastureland suitable non-breeding
Grassland Temperate suitable non-breeding
Grassland Tundra suitable breeding
Rocky areas (eg. inland cliffs, mountain peaks) suitable breeding
Shrubland Subarctic suitable breeding
Wetlands (inland) Bogs, Marshes, Swamps, Fens, Peatlands suitable breeding
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Freshwater Lakes (over 8ha) major non-breeding
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Freshwater Lakes (over 8ha) major breeding
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Freshwater Marshes/Pools (under 8ha) suitable non-breeding
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Rivers/Streams/Creeks (includes waterfalls) suitable non-breeding
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Rivers/Streams/Creeks (includes waterfalls) suitable breeding
Wetlands (inland) Tundra Wetlands (incl. pools and temporary waters from snowmelt) suitable breeding
Altitude 0 - 700 m Occasional altitudinal limits  

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Agriculture & aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Agro-industry farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Agriculture & aquaculture Livestock farming & ranching - Nomadic grazing Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Species disturbance
Biological resource use Gathering terrestrial plants - Unintentional effects (species is not the target) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Biological resource use Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals - Intentional use (species is the target) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Rapid Declines Medium Impact: 7
Stresses
Species mortality
Biological resource use Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals - Persecution/control Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Species mortality
Climate change & severe weather Habitat shifting & alteration Timing Scope Severity Impact
Future Majority (50-90%) Rapid Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Human intrusions & disturbance Recreational activities Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Species disturbance
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Neovison vison Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Reduced reproductive success, Species mortality
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Vulpes vulpes Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Reduced reproductive success, Species mortality
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Problematic native species/diseases - Vulpes lagopus Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Reduced reproductive success, Species mortality
Natural system modifications Dams & water management/use - Abstraction of ground water (agricultural use) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Natural system modifications Dams & water management/use - Large dams Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Rapid Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Species disturbance, Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Natural system modifications Other ecosystem modifications Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Pollution Agricultural & forestry effluents - Herbicides and pesticides Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Species mortality
Pollution Industrial & military effluents - Oil spills Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation

Utilisation
Purpose Primary form used Life stage used Source Scale Level Timing
Food - human - - non-trivial recent
Pets/display animals, horticulture - - non-trivial recent
Sport hunting/specimen collecting - - non-trivial recent

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Species factsheet: Anser erythropus. Downloaded from http://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/lesser-white-fronted-goose-anser-erythropus on 29/11/2023.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2023) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from http://datazone.birdlife.org on 29/11/2023.