Above: Fully stretched among its grazing companions, an adult Greater White-fronted Goose shows off its field marks; by Peter Taylor
How do I recognize it?
An adult Greater White-fronted Goose resembles a barnyard goose of Greylag ancestry, but is smaller and more lightly built. Key points for identification are a pink bill and orange legs. The white “front” refers to the bird’s forehead, while irregular dark markings on the abdomen account for the nickname “speckle-belly”; juveniles lack these two features.
Above: Perhaps inspired by the RCAF Snowbirds, these six Greater White-fronted Geese adopted a diamond formation at Whitewater Lake; by Garry Budyk
Does it migrate?
This goose is almost exclusively a spring and fall passage migrant in Manitoba, much more common in western parts of the province than in the east. There is evidence that its breeding range in Nunavut just barely extends into Manitoba near the Hudson Bay coast. Occasional summering birds farther south are most likely sick or injured individuals.
Above: A young Greater White-fronted Goose (left) is distinguished from two adults by its lack of belly speckles and white forehead, as well as its duller leg colour; by Peter Taylor
Where does it live?
The far-northern breeding range includes a swath of North America from Nunavut to Alaska, as well as Greenland and a large part of Arctic Eurasia. The winter range for North American breeders is in parts of Mexico and southern U.S.A.
Above: A flock of Greater White-fronted Geese contests the right of way on a gravel road near Kaleida, Manitoba; by Peter Taylor
Where can I see it?
Look for this species during spring and fall migration wherever other geese congregate, especially in western Manitoba locales such as Whitewater Lake and Oak Lake. Migrating flocks of Greater White-fronted Geese are often a bonus for hawk-watchers in the Pembina Valley in April; they also often pause to rest and feed at the nearby Kaleida marshes. Less accessible, the Saskatchewan River delta near The Pas is a noted fall staging area.
Above: A Grater White-fronted Goose towers over two American Wigeon at Courtenay, B.C.; by Peter Taylor
Conservation Status:
Global numbers are high, as with many goose populations, but the “Tule Goose”, which may number fewer than 10,000 birds, is a subspecies of conservation concern. It breeds and winters in limited areas of Alaska and California, respectively.
Above: This Lesser White-fronted Goose, likely a stray from a waterfowl collection, made itself at home with local Mallard on a park lake in France; by Peter Taylor
Did you know:
If there’s a Greater White-fronted Goose, what about the Lesser one? This uncommon, miniature version breeds across northern Eurasia from Arctic Norway to eastern Siberia, and winters at lower latitudes from eastern Europe to Japan. It is listed as globally “Vulnerable”, having suffered major population declines.
Written by Peter Taylor