California is home to several species of geese that either live here year-round or migrate through the state. The most common geese found in California include the Canada Goose, Snow Goose, Ross’s Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, and Cackling Goose.
Canada Goose
The Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) is the most widespread and recognizable goose in California and throughout North America. These large geese have a black head and neck with a white chin strap, light tan to cream breast, and brownish-gray body. Their signature call is a loud, trumpeting “honk.”
Canada Geese are found throughout California and can be seen year-round near lakes, ponds, fields, parks, and golf courses. Some populations migrate short distances between breeding and wintering grounds within the state, while non-migratory flocks have become well-established in urban and suburban areas.
Population and Conservation Status
Canada Geese are abundant and the species has greatly expanded its range over the last 50 years thanks to adaptation to human-altered environments. Resident (non-migratory) populations of Canada Geese have grown rapidly, and these birds are now considered pests in many urban areas.
Hunting seasons for Canada Geese are designed to manage overabundant populations, while protecting migratory populations that breed in northern Canada. Overall the species numbers in the millions and populations are stable or growing across North America.
Habits
Canada Geese nest on the ground near open water, often on small islands or muskrat houses to avoid predators. The female builds a nest of vegetation and lines it with down feathers plucked from her breast. Canada Geese usually lay 4-6 eggs and both parents help incubate them for 24-28 days.
Goslings hatch in spring and stay with their parents until they can fly, typically around 6-9 weeks. Families may join larger flocks after breeding season. Canada Geese are herbivorous and feed on grasses, sedges, berries, seeds, and agricultural crops.
Snow Goose
The Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens) is a common migratory goose that winters in California in large numbers. They breed in the Arctic during summer and migrate south to escape the harsh conditions.
Snow Geese are white with black wingtips. Their heads can be white or grayish, with a pink bill. They are medium-sized geese, smaller than a Canada Goose. Snow Geese have a high-pitched “yip” call.
Population and Conservation Status
Snow Geese have benefited from agriculture and increased nesting habitat in the Arctic tundra. They are very abundant, with populations of several million. Some populations have grown too large and degrade their breeding habitats, so hunting helps manage their numbers.
Migration
Snow Geese begin arriving in California in October and spread out across wetland and agricultural habitats in the Central Valley and along the coast. Large concentrations winter in the Sacramento Valley, San Joaquin Valley, and Imperial Valley.
They start northbound migration in February and March. Snow Geese follow the Pacific Flyway, breeding from Alaska to central Canada and Nunavut Territory.
Habits
In California, huge flocks of Snow Geese can be seen flying over fields and wetlands or settled down and feeding. They graze on grains, grasses, and other vegetation. Roosting may take place on open water or agricultural fields.
Snow Geese nest in loose colonies in the Arctic tundra. The female builds a nest mound from vegetation and lines it with down. 4-6 eggs are laid. Males stand guard while the female incubates. Goslings leave the nest soon after hatching.
Ross’s Goose
Ross’s Goose (Chen rossii) is a small white goose that often migrates and nests alongside Snow Geese. They look nearly identical except Ross’s Goose is smaller with a short stubby bill, compared to the Snow Goose’s longer “grinning” bill.
These geese breed in the Arctic and migrate to California for winter. Central Valley wetlands and agricultural areas support the majority of Ross’s Geese in winter. They forage in fields or wetlands and roost in large flocks on open water.
Conservation status of Ross’s Goose is similar to the Snow Goose. Populations rebounded near the beginning of the 21st century and now number over 1 million birds. Hunting helps manage high populations that degrade Arctic breeding habitat.
Identification
Identifying Ross’s Goose requires observing the bird alongside a Snow Goose. The Ross’s Goose is 20-30% smaller with a short, tapered bill. They are rarely seen alone.
In flight, Ross’s Geese beat their wings faster. Their high-pitched calls sound like babbling whereas Snow Geese make a lower-pitched “yip” or barking sound.
Greater White-fronted Goose
The Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) is a medium-large, gray-brown goose with extensive white around the base of the bill. They have a white ring at the bottom and white stripes on the neck and belly. Their calls are elongated, laughing honks.
Greater White-fronted Geese nest in Alaska and northern Canada, migrating south through California to wintering grounds in Mexico. They use a variety of wetland habitats in California, foraging on grasses, grains, and other plants.
Conservation status is good due to responsible hunting limits and protection of key breeding habitats. Population trends are increasing in the Pacific Flyway which includes California.
Identification
The distinctive white ring around the base of the orange and pink bill sets this species apart from other geese. Head shape is rounded and bill size medium. They have gray-brown upperparts and barred belly.
In flight, white under the tail and belly stands out. Groups appear more unorganized compared to the uniform lines or “V” shapes of Snow Geese.
Cackling Goose
Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii) is the smallest goose in North America. They were formerly considered a type of Canada Goose but recognized as a separate species in 2004. Cackling Geese look like a miniature version of a Canada Goose.
Some key differences include their smaller size, shorter neck, and round head shape. They also have a higher-pitched call, sounding like a staccato “ha-ha-ha.”
Cackling Geese breed in Alaska and northern Canada. Those following the Pacific Flyway winter in California, frequenting Central Valley wetlands and agricultural areas. Conservation outlook is positive with stable to growing populations.
Identification
Cackling Geese are about 25-30% smaller than Canada Geese. They have stubbier bills and appear round-headed compared to the Canada Goose’s oval head shape. Legs sit closer together giving them a squatter appearance.
In flight, Cackling Geese beat their wings faster with quicker wingbeats compared to Canada Geese. They appear more nimble in flight overall.
Rare and Vagrant Species
A few other goose species show up rarely in California as vagrants or weather-related strays well outside their typical range.
Species | Description |
---|---|
Emperor Goose | Small goose with round gray body, white head and hindneck. Orange bill and legs. Breeds in Alaska and rarely winters in California. |
Barnacle Goose | Medium goose with black and white plumage. Croaks like a crow. Vagrant from Eurasia. |
Brant | Small, dark coastal goose. Irregular in winter along southern California coast. Breeds in Arctic Canada. |
Conclusion
The geese commonly seen and heard in California represent a diverse group of North American species. Canada Goose, Snow Goose, Ross’s Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, and Cackling Goose all migrate through or winter in California in large numbers.
The abundance of wetlands and farmlands, particularly in the Central Valley region, make the state an important wintering ground along the Pacific Flyway. Watch for flocks settling onto flooded fields or wetlands and listen for their distinctive calls as they migrate overhead.
Understanding differences in size, plumage, and vocalizations helps identify these wild goose species that visit California primarily during the cooler months of the year.