Overview
The plumage of this species is white except for black wing tips. It is similar in appearance to a white-phase snow goose but approximately 40% smaller. Other differences from the snow goose are that the bill is smaller in proportion to its body and lacks black lips. The dark phase is extremely rare.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Bird
- Family
- Anatidae
- Genus
- Chen
- Species
- rossii
Habitat
Across North America.
Diet
Grazes on grass and crops when available.
Behavior
Escaped or feral specimens are encountered frequently, usually in the company of other feral geese such as Canada goose, greylag goose and barnacle goose. However, individuals or small groups that seemed to be of natural origin have turned up in the Netherlands and Britain.
Hunting
Hunted across its range.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN.