The Barnacle Goose is a medium-sized goose.

Its overall appearance is black and white, it has a white face and under-tail patch.The head, neck and upper breast are black, while the wings and back are silver grey.

In Mayo this bird is a winter visitor, coming from Greenland where it breeds.

Grassy green fields near the sea, islands and promontories are its natural habitat.

The scientific name of this bird is Barnta Leucopsis, the Irish name is Ge ghiurainn.

Mayo supports a large population (circa 3000) of this internationally important species and it is listed in the Red Data Book Species under the Amber List.