Birds of North America

Geese

Anser, Branta, Alopochen & Chen

Lives, Habitats & Pictures of the Geese

There are at least nine geese species in the goose family, not including exotic species and domesticated varieties. The Canada Goose is the most plentiful, seen throughout North America. With no less than six sub-species ranging from the Common Canada Goose, Lesser Canada Goose, Richardson's Canada Goose, Aleutian Canada Goose, Dusky Canada Goose and the now separated with a class of its own, the Cackling Goose.

There are then the Brant, Greater White-fronted Goose, Lesser White-fronted Goose, Ross's Goose and the Snow Goose. The Ross's Goose and Snow Goose comes in white plumage and a bluish-black dark morph plumage. Then, there are the vagrants such as the Emperor Goose, Barnacle Goose, Graylag Goose, Bean Goose, Bar-headed Goose and Pink-footed Goose, who sometimes show up on our North American coastlines. Almost, all the North American geese, even in individual classification have sub-species, stated as "Lesser" or "Western", each group having their subtle differences.

Other geese sometimes seen in our recreational parks, nature centres and on farms is the domesticated Graylag Goose. This bird can be all white or have the same markings as its wild cousin, but has a much heavier body. Then, there are the Egyptian Goose and Swan Goose, also known as the "Chinese Goose".


Below is a list of native, domestic, and vagrant geese that have been seen in North America;

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Classic Collection of North American Birds

CCNAB