Overview
This goose has a stout gray body, subtly barred with fine barring, and a white head and hindneck, often stained orange from iron-rich waters. The sexes are similar, but juveniles have the head the same color as the body.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Bird
- Family
- Anatidae
- Genus
- Chen
- Species
- canagica
Habitat
Arctic and subarctic waters.
Diet
Shoreline grasses and other coastal plants.
Behavior
This species is much less gregarious than most geese, usually occurring in family groups. It breeds on coastal tundra, laying 3–7 eggs in a ground nest. Breeding birds molt near the breeding colonies, but non-breeders move to St. Lawrence Island to molt prior to the main migration to the rocky coastlines of the wintering grounds.
Hunting
More information is needed.
Conservation Status
Listed as Near Threatenedby IUCN.