Snow Goose
(Chen caerulescens) M |
 |
RANGE: Breeds from northern Alaska east along the Arctic Coast
and islands of Canada to Baffin Island, south to Southhampton
Island and along both coasts of Hudson Bay to the head of James
Bay. Winters from the Puget Sound of British Columbia and
Washington south to the interior valleys of California and
Mexico; in southern New Mexico; from Kansas and Missouri south
to the Gulf Coast; and along the Atlantic Coast from New York to
Florida. During migration, found on large staging areas in the
Dakotas, Minnesota, lowa, and Nebraska.
There are two races of the snow goose, the "lesser" and the
"greater." The lesser snow goose has two color phases-a dark
phase, or blue goose, and a white phase-while the greater is
believed to only have a white phase, and generally breeds
farther north than the lesser.
STATUS: Locally abundant.
HABITAT: Inhabits islands of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago or
is found within 5 miles of salt water on flat tundra of marsh
grasses and sedges, in limestone basins, on islands of river
deltas, or on plains usually drained by large rivers that open
early in the season. During winter, uses both freshwater and
saltwater marshes and wet prairies.
SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Wetlands on arctic tundra.
NEST: Nests in a shallow depression on the ground in large,
loose colonies, on dry sites, primarily in unspoiled, primitive
areas. Nests, well concealed by tundra grasses and sedges, as
close as 15 to 20 feet from each other on flat land.
FOOD: Feeds by browsing in cultivated fields on winter wheat, in
pastures on sprouting grasses, or on waste grain in stubble
fields, also by digging out bulbous roots and soft parts of
sedges, rushes, marsh grasses, and aquatic plants.
REFERENCES: Bellrose in Farrand 1983a, Cooch 1964, Lemieux 1959,
Miller 1999, NAS 2004, Shunk 2004, Terres 1980, Verner and Boss
1980. |
