Snow Goose

Snow Geese have a white body with black wingtips, orange legs, and a dark line across their pink bills; however, a single gene has resulted in some snow geese being gray bodied with a white head. These morphs are referred to as "blue geese." Newly hatched snow goslings have golden-colored bodies.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Anser caerulescens
CLASSIFICATION: Bird
LIFE SPAN: 15-25 Years
SIZE: 27-32” | 3-7lbs
STATE CONSERVATION STATUS: State Protected
FEDERAL CONSERVATION STATUS: Least Concern
GAME STATUS: Game
GAME TYPE: Waterfowl

Washoe
Humboldt
Pershing
Churchill
Mineral
Lyon
Douglas
Carson City
Storey

Elko
Lander
Eureka
White Pine

Esmeralda
Nye
Lincoln
Clark

Agricultural Lands
Grasslands
Rivers and streams

Natural History

Snow Geese are considered aggressive eaters because they will pull plants out by the root when feeding. They consume grains, fruits, and seeds. Goslings will eat invertebrates. Snow geese will form long term bonds during their second year and breed by their third. The female will build a nest on high ground, lay three to five eggs, and incubate them for 22-25 days. They will usually return to the nest they hatched from to breed.