General

Greater White-fronted Goose: Medium-sized goose with dark-brown body. Underparts are barred and flecked with black; belly and undertail coverts are conspicuously white. Front of face has a white patch. Bill is usually pink. Legs are orange.

Range and Habitat

Greater White-fronted Goose: Breeds in Alaska, far-northern Canada, and Greenland. Spends winters from coastal British Columbia to California, in New Mexico, and along the Gulf coast in Texas and Louisiana; more rarely on the east coast and in the interior. Breeds on marshy tundra; winters on marshes and bays.

Listen to Call

Voice Text

"kah-lah-aluek", " wah-wah-wah"

Interesting Facts

 The Greater White-fronted Goose has one of the largest ranges of any species of goose in the world. In North America, however, it is common only west of the Mississippi River.

 These geese often migrate in large flocks at night, when they can be identified by their distinctive call.

 The "Tule Goose" of the West Coast is considered a subspecies; its breeding grounds were unknown until 1979, when birds were found nesting near Anchorage, Alaska.

 A group of geese has many collective nouns, including a "blizzard", "chevron", "knot", "plump", and a "string" of geese.

Author

Gary Owen Dick