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The Snow Goose (Anser
caerulescens) is a North American species of goose. Its name derives
from the typically white plumage. The American ornithologist,
David Sibley, places this species and the other North American
"white" geese in the genus Chen, rather than the more
traditional "grey" goose genus Anser. The Snow Goose
is then classed as Chen caerulescens. Snow geese migration, Bosque
del Apache, New Mexico: note blue phase bird at far leftThis goose
breeds in northern Canada and the northeastern tip of Siberia,
and winters much further south in the continent in the southern
USA and beyond. These birds migrate in large flocks, often visiting
traditional stopover habitats in spectacular numbers.
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A larger race
of this bird, the Greater Snow Geese (A. c. atlanticus), nests
to the north of eastern Canada. The smaller race, the Lesser Snow
Goose (A. c. caerulescens), occurs in two plumage variants. White
phase birds are white except for black wing tips, but blue phase
geese have bluish plumage replacing most of the white except on
the head, neck and tail tip. White and blue phase birds do interbreed
and the young may be of either type. Blue phase birds are rare
among the Greater Snow Geese. Snow geese migration, Bosque del
Apache, New Mexico: note two blue phase birds in centerThis species
is a rare vagrant to Europe, but a frequent escape from collections
and an occasional feral breeder. The nest is usually located in
a slightly-elevated location on the ground, built with plant material
and lined with down.
Above Images
From The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
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