Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens) — Facts, Habitat & Conservation

À propos

A distinctive goose with two morphs—white with black wingtips, or 'blue morph' with dark body and white head. Large flocks create spectacular migration events. Breeds in the Arctic; winters in the United States and Mexico. Population growth has caused severe overgrazing of Arctic salt marshes.

Physical Description

Measurement	Value	Imperial
Envergure	82,4 cm	32.4 in
Poids	2561,0 g	90.34 oz

Identification

Plumage

White morph: pure white plumage with black primaries and pink bill and legs. Blue morph: dark blue-gray body with white head. Both morphs interbreed freely. 'Grinning patch' on bill. Sexes similar.

Habitat & Range

Breeds on coastal and inland Arctic tundra in Canada, Alaska, and Greenland. Winters on agricultural fields, marshes, and coastal wetlands across the United States and northern Mexico. Forms enormous flocks.

🌿 Wetland 🌾 Grassland 🏖️ Coastal

Répartition géographique

Breeds in eastern North America's boreal forest; winters on the Atlantic coast from New England to South Carolina.

Diet & Feeding

Grazes submerged aquatic vegetation and eelgrass in estuaries; also takes grasses and sedges on coastal grasslands.

Statut de conservation

Least Concern

IUCN Red List

Comportement et reproduction

Nidification

Nest type: SC. Incubation: 23-25 days. Fledging: 40-50 days.

Taille de la couvée

2-6

Son

Chant

A loud, nasal barking 'luk-luk' or 'kow-kow'. Large flocks create enormous noise during Arctic nesting and winter staging. Considered a noisy, conspicuous goose.

Taxonomie

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Ordre	Anseriformes (Waterfowl)
Famille	Anatidae (Ducks, Geese & Swans)
Genus	Anser
Espèces	Anser caerulescens

External Databases

Foire aux questions

What does the Snow Goose eat?

Grazes submerged aquatic vegetation and eelgrass in estuaries; also takes grasses and sedges on coastal grasslands.

Where does the Snow Goose live?

Breeds on coastal and inland Arctic tundra in Canada, Alaska, and Greenland. Winters on agricultural fields, marshes, and coastal wetlands across the United States and northern Mexico. Forms enormous flocks.

Is the Snow Goose endangered?

The Snow Goose has a conservation status of Least Concern.

How does the Snow Goose nest?

Nest type: SC. Incubation: 23-25 days. Fledging: 40-50 days.

What does the Snow Goose sound like?

A loud, nasal barking 'luk-luk' or 'kow-kow'. Large flocks create enormous noise during Arctic nesting and winter staging. Considered a noisy, conspicuous goose.

How big is the Snow Goose?

The Snow Goose has a wingspan of 82.4 cm, weight of 2561.0 g.

What order and family does the Snow Goose belong to?

The Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens) belongs to the order Anseriformes and the family Anatidae.