Ross's Goose
Anser rossii
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<birdfyi-bird slug="anser-rossii"></birdfyi-bird>The Ross's Goose (Anser rossii) is a bird species in the family Anatidae (ducks, geese & swans), within the order Anseriformes (waterfowl). Recorded measurements include a wingspan of 69.2 cm and a weight of 1.5 kg. The IUCN Red List classifies it as Least Concern.
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About
A small compact white goose with black wingtips, a stubby pink bill with a warty blue-grey base, and a rounded head. One of the smallest North American geese. Breeds in the Canadian Arctic; winters in the southern United States. Population has grown dramatically since the 1960s.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 69.2 cm | 27.2 in |
| Weight | 1513.5 g | 53.39 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Smallest white North American goose; pure white plumage with black wingtips. Short triangular pink bill with warty pinkish-gray base. Pink-red legs. Occasional blue morph. Sexes similar.
Habitat & Range
Breeds on tundra near Hudson Bay and the central Canadian Arctic. Winters in agricultural fields, rice paddies, and wetlands in the central and southern United States, particularly California's Central Valley.
Geographic Range
Breeds in high Arctic tundra; winters at sea in the North Atlantic from Iceland to the British Isles and northeastern United States.
Diet & Feeding
Eats aquatic plants, seeds, and grasses near wetlands; omnivorous in breeding; takes invertebrates in shallow water.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: M. Incubation: 21-22 days. Fledging: 40-45 days.
Clutch Size
2-8
Sound
Song
A high, nasal yelping 'whoik' or 'hoik' — higher-pitched than Snow Goose. Flocks mix with Snow Geese; calls differ noticeably by pitch. Fast, repeated notes in flight.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes (Waterfowl) |
| Family | Anatidae (Ducks, Geese & Swans) |
| Genus | Anser |
| Species | Anser rossii |
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Ross's Goose eat?
Where does the Ross's Goose live?
Is the Ross's Goose endangered?
How does the Ross's Goose nest?
What does the Ross's Goose sound like?
How big is the Ross's Goose?
What order and family does the Ross's Goose belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Anatidae family