Anser rossii

(Cassin, 1861)

Vernacular names
English : Ross’s goose
French : Oie de Ross

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Anseriformes
Family : Anatidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach a length of 84 cm for a weight of 3.8 kg. The bill is short and clearer red than for A. caerulescens, with no black edges. Red legs. Plumage entirely snowy white with black flight feathers. Very rare blue morph exists.

Range and habitat
The species breeds on arctic coasts of central and western north Canada. It winters in South USA, from California to Louisiana and in north Mexico. Breeds in Arctic tundra, mostly on islands. Winters in agricultural land.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species has recently increased most of its populations but remains vulnerable to shooting and disturbance on its very few breeding grounds.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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