Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifrons
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Greater White-fronted Goose is characterized by its grayish-brown body, pink bill, and orange legs. Its most distinctive feature is the white patch surrounding the base of the bill, which gives the species its name.
Adults have black barring on their belly, while juveniles lack this marking. Both sexes look similar, with no significant seasonal plumage changes.
Size
Length
64cm to 81cm
Wingspan
130cm to 165cm
Weight
1.8kg to 3.3kg
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown Grey
Secondary Colour
White Black
Beak Colour
Pink
Leg Colour
Orange
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Greater White-fronted Geese breed in the Arctic tundra of North America and Siberia. During migration, they can be found in wetlands, grasslands, and agricultural areas across North America and Eurasia.
In winter, they congregate in large numbers in temperate regions. Significant wintering populations can be found in North America, in California's Central Valley, the Gulf Coast, and Mexico.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 2,500 meters
Climate zones
Subarctic, Temperate, Subtropical
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Greater White-fronted Goose. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons