Snow Goose
Snow Goose
Anser caerulescens
Also known as: Blue Goose
Aves
COMMON

Stats

Lifespan
10-16 yrs
Size
Large
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Diurnal
Social
Flock
Biome
Freshwater wetland
Range
North America
Movement
Flight
Breeding
Egg-laying
Defense
Group defense
Status
Common

About

This migratory bird lives in the vast Arctic tundra and coastal marshes. It can fly over 3,000 miles in a single journey to reach its seasonal nesting grounds.

Life cycle

  1. 1.
    egg
    A clutch of eggs rests in a down-lined nest near water, covered and warmed by the brooding female.
  2. 2.
    hatchling
    A downy hatchling follows its mother to the water within hours and feeds itself almost immediately.
  3. 3.
    juvenile
    A juvenile grows its first true feathers, swimming in the family group and learning to dabble or dive.
  4. 4.
    adult
    Fully grown with adult plumage.

Learn more

Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Anseriformes
Family
Anatidae
Genus
Anser
Species
Anser caerulescens