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Help develop a Bird ID tool!

Snow Goose

Chen caerulescens ORDER: ANSERIFORMES FAMILY: ANATIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

A medium-sized goose that breeds on the arctic tundra, the Snow Goose travels south in very large, high-flying, noisy flocks. The swirling white of a descending flock suggests snow, but among the white birds are darker individuals. Until recently, the Blue Geese, as the dark birds were called, were considered a separate species. They are now recognized as merely a dark form (or "morph") of the Snow Goose.

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Appearance

Ducklike
Ducklike
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Medium-sized goose.
  • Black patch on bill edges, the "grinning patch" or "smile."
  • Two color forms.
  • White morph: White all over, except for black primaries.
  • Blue morph: White head and front of neck, body dark gray-brown.
  • Complete range of intermediate forms occur.

Immature Description

White morph: Gray above, darker on head and neck. White below. Legs, feet, and bill gray, turning pink. Blue morph: Entirely dark gray-brown. Belly paler to white. White under tail. Wing linings pale gray, contrast with dark body and black primaries in flight.

Range Map Help

Snow Goose Range Map
View dynamic map of eBird sightings

Field MarksHelp

  • Adult white morph

    Snow Goose

    Adult white morph
    • © Mary Tremaine/CLO
  • Juvenile (left) and adult white morph

    Snow Goose

    Juvenile (left) and adult white morph
    • © Marie Read, New Mexico, December 2000
  • Adult blue morph

    Snow Goose

    Adult blue morph
    • © John Surman/CLO
  • Juvenile blue morph

    Snow Goose

    Juvenile blue morph
    • © J. Surman/CLO

Similar Species

  • Ross's Goose smaller, has much smaller triangular bill without grin patch, has warty green base to bill, and a straight, not curved base of bill on side of face.

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