A medium-large goose — brown body with distinctive white "front" face patch. Migrates in flocks alongside Canada Geese.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The greater white-fronted goose is a species of goose, closely related to the smaller lesser white-fronted goose. The greater white-fronted goose is migratory, breeding in northern Canada, Alaska, Greenland, and Russia, and winters farther south in North America, Europe, and Asia. It is named for the patch of white feathers bordering the base of its bill; its specific name albifrons comes from the Latin albus "white" and frons "forehead". In the United Kingdom and Ireland, it has been known as the white-fronted goose; in North America, it is known as the greater white-fronted goose, and this name is also increasingly adopted internationally. Even more distinctive are the salt-and-pepper markings on the breast of adult birds, which is why the goose is colloquially called the "specklebelly" in North America.
Source: Wikipedia — Greater white-fronted goose Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Brownish-gray goose with orange legs, a pink-to-orange bill, a white band around the base of the bill ('white front'), and irregular black bars on the belly.
Similar species. Domestic and other geese lack the white facial blaze and black belly bars; the orange legs and bill are good marks.
Voice. A high-pitched, laughing, two- or three-noted 'kah-lah-aluck' — quite distinctive.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Aquatic plants, grasses, grain.
Behavior. A grazing 'gray goose' of arctic tundra that winters in flocks on agricultural fields and marshes; family groups stay together through the winter.
§ Range
Arctic; winters Central and southern US
§ Habitat
Tundra in summer; flooded fields, marshes in winter
§ Threats
Hunting pressure, habitat loss in wintering areas, climate change.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the greater white-fronted goose is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Support waterfowl management. Maintain natural wetland habitats.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Greater white-fronted goose
- www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Anser albifrons
- IUCN Red List — search for Anser albifrons
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Anser albifrons
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology — All About Birds
- National Audubon Society
- iNaturalist
- IUCN Red List
