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Greater White-fronted Goose

Silhouette GeeseGeese
Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifrons
  • ORDER: Anseriformes
  • FAMILY: Anatidae

Basic Description

The Greater White-fronted Goose is a stocky brown goose that occurs across the Northern Hemisphere and in North America is found mainly west of the Mississippi. It sports white feathers around its pinkish orange bill, orange legs, and a white line down its side. These geese breed in arctic tundra and winter in large flocks in wetlands, lakes, and croplands. They can be confused with Graylag Geese, an often-domesticated species that can occur in small numbers around farms and parks in North America.

More ID Info
image of range map for Greater White-fronted Goose
Year-roundBreedingMigrationNonbreeding
Range map provided by Birds of the World
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Find This Bird

The best time to go looking for a Greater White-fronted Goose over much of the United States and Canada is during migration. From February through May and again from September through November look for Greater White-fronted Geese foraging in agricultural fields or resting on lakes and ponds. The winter months in California, Texas, and Louisiana are also good. They hang out in groups often with Snow and Canada Geese, where their brown plumage and medium size should help separate them. They are a little more skittish than other waterfowl; at wildlife refuges it’s often possible to get close to them as long as you drive slowly and stay in the car.

Other Names

  • Ánsar Careto (Spanish)
  • Oie rieuse (French)
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