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Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae Chick Type : Precocial (Parental attendance) Snow Geese are found in the Arctic tundra during breeding season. During the fall, they migrate to the southern United States and northern Mexico. There are two subspecies, the Lesser Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) and the Greater Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens atlanticus). The Greater Snow Goose only winters along the most eastern parts of Virginia and North Carolina. Diet consists of a broad range of plant matter, such as grasses, seeds, and aquatic vegetation. During the winter they often seen in harvested fields, searching for left over grain. Nests are build on the ground and clutch size is usually around 2 - 10 white colored eggs. Incubation time is around 19 - 24 days. Lesser Snow Geese and Greater Snow Geese can be identified by the size and the length of the bill; Greater Snow Geese have larger bills. In the tundra, their nest and chicks are often preyed on by Arctic Foxes, Parasitic Jaejers, Herring Gulls and Ravens. Adults are preyed on by hawks, eagles and wolves. |
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