Incidents of neckband icing and consequences for body condition and survival of pink-footed geese Anser brachyrhynchus

During cold spells in Denmark and The Netherlands in January-February 1996, and in Belgium in January 1997, ice buildup on plastic neckbands on pink-f ooted geese Anser brachyrhynchus was observed, affecting 15-31% of the mark ed geese in the areas. Ice started to form at effective temperatures of app roximately -5 degreesC,but broke off after 1-6 days, despite temperatures r emaining below the freezing point. During the subsequent months, there was no detectable difference in body condition, assessed by an abdominal profil e index, of geese which had experienced no, light or heavy icing of neckban ds, respectively. Furthermore, during the subsequent spring and autumn ther e was no significant difference in resighting rates of geese with and witho ut neckband icing.