A large, heavy-set grey goose with an overall brownish-grey tone, a substantial pinkish-orange bill, and pink legs. In flight it shows a broad pale grey leading edge to the upper wings, fairly light underwing coverts, and a wide white band at the tip of the tail. It can be separated from other grey geese by these features, as many of them show darker underwings and differ in bill colour and head or neck pattern. It frequents lakes, marshes, and wetlands, and in parts of Europe is also a familiar sight in urban parks.