Anser caerulescens
The Snow Goose, Anser caerulescens, is a charismatic and highly social waterfowl species renowned for its dramatic migrations and two distinct color morphs. Adults average 64-84 cm (25-33 inches) in length with a wingspan of 135-165 cm (53-65 inches) and weigh between 2.05-3.6 kg (4.5-7.9 lbs). The 'white morph' is predominantly white with striking black primary flight feathers, visible in flight, and a pink bill with a distinctive black 'grinning patch'. The less common 'blue morph' displays...
Primarily inhabits Arctic tundra for breeding, transitioning to open wetlands, marshes, coastal bays, and agricultural fields (especially corn, rice, and wheat) during migration and wintering.
Strictly herbivorous, feeding primarily on the leaves, stems, roots, and tubers of grasses, sedges, rushes, and various forbs, supplemented heavily by agricultural grains like corn, rice, and wheat during migration and winter. They forage by grazing and grubbing for subsurface plant parts.
Snow Geese are highly gregarious, diurnal birds, spending their days foraging in large flocks and resting on open water or fields. Their foraging technique involves grazing on vegetation and, notably, 'grubbing' for roots and tubers, often leaving tell-tale pockmarks in the ground. During the bre...
The Snow Goose boasts an expansive breeding range across the Arctic tundra of North America, including Alaska, northern Canada (extending to the high Arctic islands), and northwestern Greenland. Post-breeding, they embark on long-distance migrations along all four major North American flyways (Pa...
Least Concern
- The Snow Goose exists in two distinct color morphs, white and "blue," which are genetic variations rather than separate subspecies, with intermediates also occurring. - Their characteristic "grinning patch" is a black line along the edges of their pink bill, visible when the bill is closed, giv...