Mythical Animals: Birds: Barnacle Geese: Europe

Barliate (Barnacle Goose): The U.K. and Ireland

The magickal beast, Barliate (the Barnacle Goose) did not lay eggs like today’s birds. Instead this “goose” grew on trees near the water’s edge. On these tree branches were barnacles from which feathery gills emerged. A few days later, tiny feet would appear, and then finally the fully grown “gosling,” hanging by its beak. Any “goslings” that fell into the water thrived, while those on land died. On the coasts of Ireland, Scotland, and England after storms, people would often find driftwood covered with feathery barnacles. These were infant Barliates that had fallen into the water. Because of this phenomena, most people considered Barliates to be fish.

Often confused with Barnacle Geese (Branta leucopsis), Barliates resembled these geese in their coloring – a black head, white face, and silver grey wings. Both resided along the islands around in Ireland, Scotland, and England, and lived off the water’s bounty during the winter and spring. One difference between the two was that Barnacle Goose migrated to the Arctic (Greenland, Norway, Russia) in the summer. There, they nested on the cliffs and islands, laying their eggs and raising their young. Meanwhile, Barliates also disappeared in the summer, not to migrate, but to grow from barnacles on trees. Unlike modern birds, adult Barliates did not raise their young, but left them to survive on their own. And because Barliates grew on trees, people also considered them as fruit and not birds.

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Works Used:

Allan, Tony, “The Mythic Bestiary,” Duncan Baird: London, 2008.

Atsma, Aaron, “Stymphalides,” The Theoid Project, 2008, http://www.theoi.com
/Ther/OrnithesStymphalides.html.

---, “Barnacle Goose,” Ducks Unlimited, http://www.ducks.org/hunting/waterfowl-id/barnacle-goose.

Carefoot, Thomas, “Goose-barnacle Legend,” A Snail’s Odyssey, 2010, http://www.asnailsodyssey.com/LEARNABOUT/GOOSE/goosLege.php.

Nigg, Joseph, “The Book of Dragons and Other Mythical Beasts,” Quarto: London, 2002.

Perrins, Christopher, ed, “Firefly Encyclopedia of Birds,” Firefly Books: Buffalo, NY, 2003.

Zell-Ravenheart, Oberon and Ash DeKirk, "A Wizard's Bestiary," New Page Press: Franklin Lakes NJ, 2007.

Greylag Goose: Follow Your Own Star

The largest of the Grey Geese, Greylag Goose is the last to migrate south. Some suggest that this Goose’s name came from Her being the last to leave. Besides being known as “graylag”, this big powerful Goose is also called “wild goose”.

Whatever her name, Greylag Goose is the wild ancestor of the Domestic Goose. Always alert, Greylag Goose is difficult to approach. Among Christians, Greylag Goose is the devout person who keeps a vigilant watch over their soul. Since Domestic Goose inherited her wariness, He makes excellent “watch goose”.

In 390 BCE, Greylag Goose saved the City of Rome. When the Gauls attempted to attack the Capitol area, Greylag Goose warned everyone with her noisy honking. Alerted by Her, the Romans were able to repel the invaders. Since it was in Juno’s temple where Greylag Goose warned the Romans, She became Juno’s sacred animal.

However Greylag Goose often comes into conflict with farmers. Because She prefers the youngest and most succulent of plants, they lose many crops to Her. Her heavy bill with its serrated edges easily snips the growing grasses. Many farmers consider Greylag Goose a pest.

Honored by some, Greylag Goose is detested by others. She is both a guardian for people and a destroyer of their food. Many things to many people, Greylag Goose listens to her inner voice. Domesticated many millennia ago, She remains the only wild Goose that still breeds in Britain. Greylag Goose ignores popular opinion to follow her own star. However, make sure that you do the right thing when asked.


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Virginia Carper, Animal Teachers
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Teachings of Canada Goose

Canada Goose: Be Faithful

Native to North America, Canada Goose can be found in Europe and New Zealand. Highly adaptable to new situations, She finds new sources of food in farmlands and wildlife refuges. Also in Europe, Canada Goose lives well at man-made bodies of water.

One of the noisiest Birds around, her honking is a familiar sound. By talking to her friends, all of the time, Canada Goose stays close to her large Skein. Since her honking sounds like baying Hounds, the Cree called Canada Goose “The Hound of Heaven”. (Her long neck and special vocal chords enable Her to make her distinctive sounds.)

Like the other Geese, Canada Goose mates for life. However, She is known for her long lived faithfulness to her mate. Many Canada Geese spent their lives together for twenty years or more. Some Canada Geese have remained a pair for forty years, longer than many human marriages.

Closely attached to her breeding area as well, Canada Goose returns to the same place with her Gaggle for years. Because each group of Geese is semi-colonial, They do not interbreed with other Canada Geese. As a result, there are several distinct races of Canada Geese.

In her life, Canada Goose remains faithful. She stays with her Flock and Mate for her entire life. Following the same migratory route every year, any lost Member of her Flock knows where to find Her. She will stop and assist a sick Friend. However, do not be so faithful that you become inbred and stale.

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Virginia Carper, Animal Teachers
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Goose Family: Be Aware of All Things

People are familiar with honking groups of Geese. Migrating Geese are such a common sight that their “v” formation is called a “wedge”. While on their way to their home territories, Geese often land to feed on grasses and grain. (On land, They are called a “gaggle”.) A Gaggle of Geese feeding in fields is a common sight in the countryside.

Because Geese have such keen senses, no one can sneak up on Them. A Goose will call to an empty sky knowing that their Skein (flock) will appear in a few minutes. “Going on a wild goose chase” came from Geese thoroughly confusing those who hunt Them. Fiercely protective of their territory, Geese will attack an intruder with their strong bills and wings. In Europe, Domestic Geese were kept as “watch” geese. (Guardians of the home as it were.)

Many cultures saw Geese as mystical beings. The Snow Goose was an emissary of winter, while Nile Goose was the soul of the Pharaoh. Meanwhile, the Hidatsa and Mandan of North America regarded Geese as emissaries of the Bird Spirits. They brought good crops to the people. Breastbones of Greylag Goose were used by the Celts for divination.

What is astounding is how Geese have long baffled people. Barnacle Goose was so named because Europeans thought They were born from Barnacles! No one saw an egg or a gosling, only Geese returning from the sea. Meanwhile Tree Geese supposedly came from the willows on Orkney Island!

Geese teach people to be aware of everything. So perceptive are Geese that They often lead people on a “wild goose chase”. Instead of inventing inane stories, people should investigate things more fully. Do not be a “Silly Goose”, rather become a “wise one”.

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Virginia Carper, Animal Teachers
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