A brownish goose with black splotches on the belly, white side stripe, white vent, and white face patch. Greenland-breeding adults (subspecies flavirostris) show bright orange bill and legs.
Fresh juveniles lack the black bars below and white feathering around base of the bill. The tips of the upperparts feathers are rounded rather than squared as in adults. Bill and legs are duller in color than adults.
During the winter congregates in wetlands and ponds.
Juveniles in autumn lack white feathering around base of the bill. Note the dull-colored bare parts and rounded back feathers typical of juvenile geese.
In flight, shows a white "U" on the rump. Large gray upperwing panels contrast with the dark flight feathers.
A stout, brown goose with a white face patch and a pink-orange bill. Lighting conditions may make it challenging to distinguish the precise bill color in this variable species.
The amount of black on the bellies of adults is variable and has led to colloquial use of the nickname "Speckle belly" or even just "Speck."
Adults in western North America typically show pinkish bills that contrast with the orange legs. Also note the brown head and neck and pale gray belly marked with black splotches.
A medium-sized, heavy-bodied goose with a small bill, thick legs, and a short neck.
Larger than a Ross's Goose, smaller than a Canada Goose.
goose-sized or largerThe tule subspecies of the Greater White-fronted Goose is larger and darker than other Greater White-fronted Geese. It is restricted to areas around Cook Inlet, Alaska. The Greater White-fronted Goose subspecies that breeds in Greenland usually winters in Ireland and Scotland. It occasionally turns up on the East Coast of North America. It is slightly larger than the typical American form and has a brighter orange (less pink) bill, but telling them apart is difficult.
Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl(Order: Anseriformes, Family: Anatidae)
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