Guide to Wildlife Identification
What You
Should Know | Finding Wildlife
| Game or Non-Game | Techniques
| Signs | Distribution
| Warning for Hunters | Final
Quiz | Over 100 Wildlife Fact
Sheets Snow Goose(Chen caerulescens)Other common names: snowies; wavies; blue goose Size:
Distribution
in North America: |
Since the middle of the 20th century, snow geese populations have been growing at a tremendous rate, and by the turn of the 21st century, were shown to be destroying their fragile tundra nesting habitat in Canada. Wildlife agencies in Canada and the U.S. are now implementing strategies to try to reduce the populations to levels that will not destroy the habitat. |
Habitat:
- Spends summer in the sub-Arctic and Arctic tundra, and spends winter around ponds, marshes and rice fields along the Gulf of Mexico.
- Eats seeds, leaves, tubers, grains and wild grass roots. Has become particularly fond of rice and other farm crops in the U.S.
Notes:
- Voice is a shrill nasal honk while flying.
- Has a blue-gray color phase in which only the neck and head are white.
- Nests on the ground in mounds of grasses, moss and down feathers.
Be sure to check local regulations for hunting or trapping information on this species.
