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Snow Goose

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

Audubon Illustration

Audubon illustration of Snow Goose

John James Audubon, Birds of America (1827-1838). Public domain.

Migration Flyway

Showing primary migration corridor(s) for this species

Last Spotted Near You

View on eBirdWikipedia

About the Snow Goose

The snow goose (Anser caerulescens) is a species of goose native to North America. Both white and dark morphs exist, the latter often known as blue goose. Its name derives from the typically white plumage. The species was previously placed in the genus Chen, but is now typically included in the "gray goose" genus Anser. Snow geese breed north of the timberline in Greenland, Canada, Alaska, and the northeastern tip of Siberia, and spend winters in warm parts of North America from southwestern British Columbia through parts of the United States to Mexico.

Source: Wikipedia

Classification

Scientific name
Anser caerulescens
Family
Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl
Order
Anseriformes

Similar species

Other members of the ducks, geese, and waterfowl family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.

  • American Black Duck Anas rubripes
  • American Wigeon Mareca americana
  • Baer's Pochard Aythya baeri
  • Baikal Teal Sibirionetta formosa
  • Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus
  • Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis
  • Barrow's Goldeneye Bucephala islandica
  • Black Scoter Melanitta americana
  • Black Swan Cygnus atratus
  • Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis
  • Black-necked Swan Cygnus melancoryphus
  • Blue-billed Teal Spatula hottentota

Know when the Snow Goose turns up near you

Add it to your watchlist and draw an alert zone around the places you actually bird. Birdr checks eBird reports and tells you when one is seen inside it.

How rare bird alerts work →

Gear for spotting Snow Goose

Optics

Best Binoculars for Beginners

You don't need to spend a fortune. These four pairs will get you birding confidently on day one.

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Cameras

Cameras for Bird Photography

From phone adapters to dedicated rigs, here's what actually works for capturing birds in the field.

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Optics

Spotting Scopes for Distance Birding

Essential for shorebirds, raptors, and anything too far for binoculars. Our tested picks.

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