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Ross's Goose

Chen rossii ORDER: ANSERIFORMES FAMILY: ANATIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

A tiny white goose with black wingtips, the Ross's Goose is like a miniature version of the more abundant Snow Goose. It breeds in the central Arctic and winters primarily in central California, but it is becoming more frequent farther east.

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Appearance

Ducklike
Ducklike
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Small goose.
  • White all over, except for black primaries.
  • Pink bill.

Immature Description

Pale gray above, white below. Gray line through eye. Legs, feet, and bill gray, turning pink.

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Field MarksHelp

  • Adult
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    Ross's Goose

    Adult
    • © Kevin T. Karlson, Lodi, California

Similar Species

  • Snow Goose larger, has larger bill without greenish base and with black grin patch along bill edge (black "lips"). Edge of base of bill along side of face curved, not straight.
  • Ross's X Snow Goose hybrid intermediate between the two. Smaller than Snow Goose, may have small grin patch, and will show slight curve of bill edge along face.