Public Domain Picture: Brant (Branta bernicla)

Brant are usually not found in Utah. However, as one of the 5 species eligible for the 2012 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest, we hope to see several at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah September 28-29, 2012. Brant (Branta bernicla): There are 2 subspecies of this true sea goose. They both are similar in appearance, behavior, and food habits. The American Brant (Branta bernicla hrota) is the Atlantic Coast resident. It is also referred to as the white bellied brant for obvious reasons. This brant feasted on eel grass until the early 1930’s when its food source was wiped out. It survived in lower numbers eating sea lettuce. Brant numbers have slowly rebounded in response to eel grass coming back in the tidal bays on the Atlantic sea shore. The American Brant breeds up in Northern Canada around the Ungava Peninsula and the southern end of James Bay. The Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) is the Pacific coast relative of its east coast cousin. It is so called the black brant due to its dark belly. While this bird winters along the Pacific coast, its breeding range extends up into the western half of Northern Canada with the main breeding location around Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta in western Alaska. Photo Credit: USFWS

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Brant, Federalduckstampartcontest, Seaduck, Weberstateuniversity

April 17, 2014