Bird Guide

Greater White-fronted Goose vs Ross's Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons)

Greater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifrons

Huge2.5 kgGrassland

Greater white-fronted geese are 64–81 cm (25–32 in) in length, have a 130–165 cm (51–65 in) wingspan, and weigh 1.93–3.31 kg (4 lb 4 oz – 7 lb 5 oz). They have bright orange legs and mouse-coloured upper wing coverts. They are smaller than greylag geese. The greater white-fronted goose is larger than and lacks the yellow eye ring of the lesser white-fronted goose, and its white facial blaze does not extend upwards so far as in the lesser.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Sonothèque ADVL · CC0
Photo: Quentin Benet-Cibois · CC BY 4.0
Ross's Goose (Anser rossii)

Ross's Goose

Anser rossii

Huge1.6 kgWetland

Ross's goose has a rounded head above a short neck. The bill is short and triangular and has a bluish base with warty structures that increase in prominence with age. Adults are identified by all-white secondary feathers, while juveniles' are dark centered. Females average 6% smaller than males. Legs begin as olive gray on goslings and turn deep red as they mature.No geographic variation or identified subspecies is known. Related species include other Anser geese, particularly the lesser snow goose, where the two mtDNA lineages imply frequent hybridization.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: (c) Andrew Cannizzaro, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Andrew Cannizzaro · cc-by

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Greater White-fronted Goose and Ross's Goose.