Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

One of seven American goose species, the Snow Goose is a noisy migrant that visits the Lower 48 states each winter. These beautiful birds have increased dramatically since the second half of the 20th century.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

Snow Geese exhibit two distinct color morphs: white and blue. The white morph has a snow-white body with black wingtips, while the blue morph has a bluish-gray body with a white head. Both morphs have pink bills with a black 'grinning patch' and pink legs.

Juveniles of both morphs are gray-brown, gradually acquiring adult plumage over their first year. There is no significant difference between males and females in appearance, though males are slightly larger on average.

Size

Length

69cm to 84cm

Wingspan

132cm to 165cm

Weight

2.05kg to 3.18kg

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

White Blue

Secondary Colour

Black

Beak Colour

Pink

Leg Colour

Pink

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Snow Goose is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Snow Goose is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Snow Goose can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Snow Goose can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Snow Goose is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Snow Goose is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Snow Goose can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Snow Goose is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Snow Goose can be found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Snow Goose is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Snow Goose is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Snow Goose is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Snow Geese breed in the high Arctic tundra of North America and eastern Siberia. During migration, they utilize a wide range of wetland habitats along their flyways. In winter, they are found in coastal marshes, wet grasslands, and agricultural fields.

In North America, large concentrations can be seen along the Atlantic coast, in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley, and in California's Central Valley. They are also common visitors to parts of the central United States and southern Canada during migration.

Wild Snow Geese are rare in the United Kingdom, and less than a hundred are usually recorded each winter. They may turn up at Islay off Scotland’s west coast and the Loch of Strathberg in the northeast. There is, however, a small self-sustaining population in Argyll, with most wild birds escapees from captivity.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 2,500 meters

Climate zones

Arctic, Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Snow 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