The Barnacle Goose breeds in colonies, preferably on small, predator-free islands and skerries along the coast, but also on cliff ledges and low coastal meadows. The nest is a shallow, down-lined hollow. The female normally lays 3–5 eggs and incubates them for about 24–25 days while the gander stands guard. A characteristic trait is that the broods are often merged into large "crèche flocks", in which a few adult pairs lead and guard a great number of young.