Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Snow Geese are migratory geese that gather in large winter flocks in U.S. farm fields and marshes. White Snow Geese have black wingtips and pink bills. Dark-bodied Snow Geese have white heads and are often called blue geese.

Appearance

Appearance: White birds have black wingtips and a pink bill with a dark stripe. Dark birds have a mostly dark body and a white head.

Look-alikes

Ross's GooseAnser rossii

A Snow Goose is larger, with a longer neck and bill and a broad dark stripe along the bill. Ross's Goose (Anser rossii) looks compact and has a short, stubby bill with little of that dark stripe.

Why they get mixed upWhite birds of both species have black wingtips and often flock together.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: winter farm fields
marshes
Arctic tundra
Range: They breed in northern Alaska and Canada, then winter along both U.S. coasts and in inland areas. Large flocks use farm fields and wetlands during migration.
Seasonal presence: Migratory; mainly a winter visitor in the lower 48 states.

Behavior

Diet: They graze on grasses and and dig for roots; winter flocks also eat grain in fields. Growing flocks can heavily graze vegetation.
Social life: Families often stay together in large winter flocks.

Life cycle

Nest: The female makes a ground nest in Arctic tundra and lines it with her own soft feathers.
Clutch size: 2–6 eggs
Incubation: About 24 days

Conservation

IUCN Red List: LCLeast ConcernLow risk of extinction

Culture and stories

Culture and stories: U.S. populations are large enough that wildlife agencies manage hunting by population.

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