Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens)

Other Scientific Names
Anser caerulescens [Cramp and Simmons (1977-1994)], Anser caerulescens [AERC TAC (2003)], Anser caerulescens [Stotz et al. (1996)], Anser caerulescens [Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)]

Other Names (World)
Snow Goose, Greater Snow Goose, Lesser Snow Goose, Blue Goose

Family
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, Swans)

Size
66 - 84 cm

First Described (Guide)
(Linnaeus, 1758)

Habitat
Breeds on Tundra and overwinters on wetlands, pastures and grasslands, often near the coast. From sea-level - 2,500 m.

Range (Guide)

Canada (B) (NB) (P), China (mainland), Greenland (B), India, Japan, Mexico, Russia (Asian) (B), Russia (European), South Korea, USA (B).

Vagrant to Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Bulgaria, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France (NB), Germany, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland (NB), Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Marshall Islands, Netherlands (NB), North Korea, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia (Central Asian), Spain, St Pierre and Miquelon (P), Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom, Virgin Islands (U.S.).

Population
Estimated population is 7,600,000 (2010).

Status LC
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

Food
Seeds and plant roots and shoots.

Voice
Loud cackling honks uttered in flight.

Xeno-Canto Sound Files (more (77)...)

Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens) [XC450845]
by Paul Marvin from Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, Butte County, California, United States (flight call)

Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens) [XC362119]
by Patrik \u00c5berg from Lake Frances, Pondera County, Montana, United States (call, wing noise)

Eggs (Guide)
4 - 5. Incubation: about 24 days.

Young
Fledge in about 42 days.

Subspecies
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:

caerulescens (Linnaeus, 1758) - Wrangel I (off north-eastern USSR), northern Alaska east to Baffin I.
atlanticus (Kennard, 1927) - North-western Greenland and islands in northern Baffin Bay.

References
See References.

The Reader's Digest Book of British Birds 1980, 3rd Edition, Drive Publications Ltd ISBN 0 340 25308 8
Birds in Colour Campbell, B., 1960, Penguin Books Ltd
The Pocket Guide to Nest and Eggs Fitter, R.S.R., 1954, Collins
RSPB Handbook of British Birds Holden, P., Cleeves, T., 2002, A & C Black ISBN 0 7136 5713 8
Birds of Britain and Europe Sterry, P., et al., 2001, AA Publishing ISBN 0 7495 3068 5
The Popular Handbook of British Birds Hollom, P.A.D., 1973, H.F. & G. Witherby Ltd ISBN 0 85493 002 7

Files:

JPG files for Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens) - 10 files

More Information

BirdLife International

For more information about the Snow Goose see... Show Articles

BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

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