Lesser Snow Goose - blue phase
Larger version
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae Genus: Anser Species: caerulescens
Binomial name
Anser caerulescens

The Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens) is a North American species of goose. Its name derives from the typically white plumage.

The American ornithologist, David Sibley, places this species and the other North American "white" geese in the genus Chen, rather than the more traditional "grey" goose genus Anser. The Snow Goose is then classed as Chen caerulescens.

This goose breeds in northern Canada and the northeastern tip of Siberia, and winters much further south in the continent in the southern USA and beyond.

This species occurs in two plumage variants. White phase birds are white except for black wing tips, but blue phase geese have bluish plumage replacing most of the white except on the head, neck and tail tip.

This species is a rare vagrant to Europe, but a frequent escape from collections and an occasional feral breeder.

Lesser Snow Goose (white phase)
Larger version