This guide will aid you recognize the species of geese seen in Georgia, as well as help you distinguish them by photograph and extensive identification guides and when they are most frequently seen. It will also include some interesting information.
Georgia has been home to eight of the thirteen types of geese native to North America. Except for the Canada Goose, which may be seen all year, they are generally winter birds.
A gaggle is a collection of geese. Have you heard the names shien, wedge, and plump for example?
Or that their territorial behavior and loud honking have been used for centuries to protect pets, people, and even countries!
In the United States, it is unlawful to hurt geese, their eggs, or their nests without permission from the government. The USFWS’s Fish and Wildlife Service
You may learn more about ducks in Georgia or swans in Georgia if you like seeing waterbirds in the state.
You may want to learn more about ducks in Georgia or swans in Georgia if you like seeing waterbirds in the state.
8 Types Of Geese In Georgia:
1. Canada Goose
In Georgia, Canada geese are seen at all times of the year. They are found in 13% of bird watchers’ summer and 17% of their winter checklists for the state, according to records.
The Canadian Goose, sometimes known as the Canada Goose, is a huge, long-necked goose with a black head and conspicuous white chin strap that is easily identifiable.
Canada Geese have the same black head and white chin strap as Cackling Geese, but their long, elegant neck and huge bulk set them apart.
Their skin is brown, and their chest and rump are pale or tanned. The subspecies’ bodies might be gray or brown in color. The webbed feet and legs are black in color.
- Branta canadensis
- Length: 25 – 45 in (64 – 114 cm)
- Weight: 230.09 oz (6521 g)
- Wingspan: 70 – 75 in (178 – 190 cm)
Canada Geese are a breed of geese that breed in Canada and migrate to southern US states for the winter, but remain in northern US states all year. Western Europe is also home to them.
Canada Geese are very common. They’re often seen near lakes and rivers, especially in places with a lot of food and water. They may also be found in metropolitan environments such as city parks, reservoirs, golf courses, public parks, and beaches where they reside comfortably with humans.
They’ve multiplied in number in several areas, and they’re considered pests as a result.
When on land, Canada Geese eat grasses, while in the water, they eat small aquatic insects and fish. When they’re in agricultural fields, they also eat wheat, rice, and corn. These cats are used to human hands or digging through trash bins for food.
Their parents take them to a meal source when they are hatched, where they learn to feed themselves. When parents perceive danger or a threat to their family, they are incredibly territorial and violent.
Fun Fact: Adults lose their flight feathers during the breeding season, as it corresponds with their molting season. Just in time for them to fly with their young, they have to regrow their feathers after twenty to forty days.
2. Snow Goose
In Georgia, snow geese are relatively uncommon, however they may be seen from November to January. They may be seen all year in the state.
Except for its black wingtips, pink beak, and pink legs and feet, the Snow Goose is appropriately named because it is totally white.
Interestingly, the Blue Goose has a white head but is dark blue-gray in color. It’s another variation of the same thing. Due to their feeding habits, both varieties of Snow Geese have a “stained” head at times.
Both versions have comparable sexes, however they vary in size. Males outnumber females in terms of size.
The dusky gray-brown coloration of juvenile white morphs contrasts with the dark gray coloration of juvenile blue morphs. The distinctive pink beak and black grin patch, on the other hand, are still visible.
- Anser caerulescens
- Length: 25 – 31 in (64 – 79 cm)
- Weight: 81.13 oz (2299 g)
- Wingspan: 54.3 in (138 cm)
Snow Geese spend the winter in the United States, where they breed mostly in Canada.
In freshwater marshes and agricultural grain fields, you may find Snow Geese and Blue Geese together. They go to plowed fields or wetlands in the winter, but prefer salt marshes and coastal bays.
Snow geese are omnivores who eat a lot. Water-logged soil or shallow water are regular sources of food. Plant life, such as grasses, sedges, willows, rushes, and horsetails are their favorite foods. Seeds, grains, and plants that have been ripped up by their roots will also be eaten.
Snow Geese nests are commonly found in large groups on tundra. Females return to the location where they hatched to breed, so the female creates a nest, which is normally a shallow depression on the ground.
She lines the nest with grasses and down after she lays the first three to five eggs. The goslings take around twenty-four days to hatch, and they are able to survive on their own after that.
Fun Fact: When breeding, the color morph of snow geese is chosen by them, and they will mate for life.
3. Greater White-fronted Goose
Georgia is home to Greater White-fronted Geese, who are known to frequent the state throughout the winter and spend their summers there.
In Europe, the Greater White-fronted Goose is known as the Greater Whitefront, while in North America it is called the Greater White-fronted Goose.
In Europe, the Greater White-fronted Goose is referred to as the White-fronted Goose, whereas in North America it is referred to as the Greater Whitefront.
Greater White-fronted Geese are both big geese, and males and females look similar.
They are frequently mistaken for the Graylag Goose because of their barred feathers, which are mostly gray all-over. The “white front,” or white feathers around the base of its orange beak, is what sets them apart. Their underparts contain black flecks as well.
- Anser albifrons
- Length: 26 – 34 in (66 -86 cm)
- Weight: 126.98 oz (3599 g)
- Wingspan: 53 – 60 in (135 – 152 cm)
Greater White-fronted Geese breed mainly in Canada and journey to the United States and Mexico during the winter in North America. Nonetheless, Europe and east Asia are also home to them.
Greater White-fronted Geese live during the winter on the West Coast of the United States, on the Gulf Coast, and in Mexico. They breed in western Canada.
During the breeding season, you may see Greater White-fronted Geese in marshy tundra, wetlands, rivers, and ponds. They hide in agricultural lands, marshes, bays, and lakes during the winter.
Both land and water are used by Greater White-fronted Geese. They eat agricultural fields’ crops, such as seeds and grains. Grasses and berries are also eaten by them. They eat aquatic insects and mollusks while near water.
In shallow depressions in the tundra, Greater White-fronted Geese nests may be seen. These generally contain three to six eggs and are covered in grass and down. For two to three weeks, the female incubates them.
Fun Fact: White-fronted Geese have strong family relationships over time. Young remain with their parents until the next breeding season, even migrating together with their offspring.
4. Ross’s Goose
During the winter, from November to May, Ross’ Geese are rarely seen in Georgia, although you may see them.
Snow Geese, with whom Ross’ Geese commonly flock, are very similar to them. Their small, gray-based red-orange beaks, short and stubby pink-red legs and feet, and black wingtips are the only exceptions to their white appearance. The female is somewhat smaller than the male, which is comparable.
Ross’ Goose has a black phase variation, although it is uncommon. It features a light gray neck, underparts, and back with a white head and a brownish beak with a crimson patch.
- Anser rossii
- Length: 21 – 26 in (53 – 66 cm)
- Weight: 59.2 oz (1678 g)
- Wingspan: 47 – 54 in (119 – 137 cm)
The Ross’ Geese live in the United States during the winter and breed in northern Canada.
During winter, Ross’ Geese may be found in both salt and freshwater marshes. They will breed on the arctic tundra during the breeding season.
Grass, sedges, and tiny grains are frequently fed to Ross’ geese, which forage from marshes, meadows, and fields.
In colonies on lake islands and polar tundra, Ross’ Geese nests may be found. Females create soft nests lined with down out of grasses, moss, leaves, and twigs. Each birthing female produces four to five eggs, which she nurtures for three weeks.
Fun Fact: In North America, Ross’ geese are the tiniest.
5. Cackling Goose
In Georgia, Cackling Geese are regarded as a uncommon or accidental species, however they may be seen from mid-November to March during the winter.
Cackling Geese resemble Canada Geese and are found throughout North America. They were established as a complete species in 2004, after being classified as part of the Canada Goose family.
The heads and necks of Cackling Geese are black, with a white “chinstrap. They have triangular bills that are short and black. They have white on the outside and are pale brown or tan.
Cackling Geese, on the other hand, have shorter necks and stubbier bills than Canada Geese.
The white chinstrap subspecies, as well as the four other subspecies, have black heads and necks that are distinctive.
- Branta hutchinsii
- Length: 22 – 30 in (56 – 76 cm)
- Weight: 105.9 oz (3001 g)
- Wingspan: 43 – 47 in (109 – 119 cm)
Cackling Geese migrate to the United States for winter and breed in Canada and Alaska.
Cackling Geese may be found in wetlands and meadows all year. In winter, they often join flocks and mingle in lakes, marshes, and fields, whereas in the summer, they prefer the tundra.
Cackling geese graze on grasses and eat berries in open areas. In agricultural fields, they will also consume wheat, barley, beans, rice, and corn. They eat aquatic plants in the water.
Cackling Geese nests may be solitary or in groups. They’re normally found near the water, in a shallow depression that’s somewhat elevated. The nests are built by the females using plant materials. She will deposit up to eight eggs, which she will take care of for approximately a month.
Fun Fact: The cackling voice or high-pitched cry of Cackling Geese distinguishes them from Canada Geese.
6. Brant
In Georgia, Brant Geese are classified as an accidental species, and they were last seen on Saint Simons Island in 2020, according to records.
A black head, neck, and chest, a white collar or marking on the neck, and a white rump distinguish the Brant Goose, which is a small goose. Nevertheless, many sub-species exist, with varying degrees of brightness or dullness.
- Branta bernicla
- Length: 22 – 26 in (56 – 66 cm)
- Weight: 63.84 oz (1809 g)
- Wingspan: 43 – 48 in (109 – 122 cm)
Before heading to coastal regions of the United States and Mexico, Brant Geese breed in Canada and Alaska. They have a house in Europe as well.
During the breeding season, you may see Brant Geese in the tundra, marshes, islands, and coastal regions. Salt marshes, lagoons, mudflats, and tidal estuaries are all home to them during the winter.
On land and in water, Brant geese primarily eat plant matter. They prefer eelgrass, although any grass will do. Sedges, pondweed, and aquatic insects are among the foods they consume.
Brant Goose nests are often situated on small islands in tundra ponds or on high ground. Grass bowls with down lining are shallow, grassy dishes.
The female lays up to seven eggs, which take three to four weeks to hatch. The parents escort the offspring to the eating place once the eggs hatch, so they may feed themselves.
Fun Fact: Brant geese can live up to 28 years in the wild.
7. Egyptian Goose
Egyptian Geese, which were first spotted in Georgia near Lake Mayer and Hancock, are an imported species that is not often seen here.
The Egyptian Goose is a beautiful bird that has spread to invasive population levels in certain countries, such as zoos and aviaries.
The Egyptian Goose is a beautiful bird that has spread to invasive population levels in several nations, including zoos and aviaries.
Egyptian Geese have a lot of distinguishing characteristics that makes them easy to see. A brown patch surrounds their golden-yellow or orange eyes. Their bills are pink on top and black on the bottom, and their heads are whitish-gray with some reddish tints at the nape.
The collar is reddish-brown in color. Their backs and wings are a mix of white, green, brown, and black, while their breasts are tan and their bellies are white with gray linings. The legs and feet are pink in color.
The head and nape of juvenile birds are darker reddish-brown. The bellies of these animals are usually tan or light brown. Dark brown is their coloration on the backs and wings.
- Alopochen aegyptiaca
- Length: 24 – 29 in (61 – 74 cm)
- Weight: 70 – 77.5 oz (1984 – 2196 g)
- Wingspan: 52 – 60 in (132 – 152 cm)
Egyptian Geese are found in Europe and North America, despite their African origin.
Egyptian Gooses may be found near water in open, wetlands, and non-forested settings. Zoos and aviaries are also common places for them.
On the ground, in hollows of trees, caves, and other animals’ nests, Egyptian Geese nests may be discovered. The nests, which contain up to twenty-two eggs and take approximately a month to hatch, are mostly constructed of grasses, leaves, and down.
The young have to learn how to feed themselves, but parents will take care of them.
Fun Fact: In Ancient Egypt, the Egyptian Goose was revered as a holy bird and appears in a lot of their paintings.
8. Barnacle Goose
In Georgia, Barnacle Geese are extremely uncommon, and only one has ever been seen around Lake Mayer.
Medium-sized yet delicate-looking geese, barnacle geese are a common sight. Their bills are small and black, their head, neck, and upper chest are black, their bellies are white, and their wings and back are silver-gray with black and white stripes.
V-shaped rumps and silver-gray linings are visible when the bird is in flight.
- Branta leucopsis
- Length: 23 – 28 in (58 – 71 cm)
- Weight: 62.4 oz (1768 g)
- Wingspan: 52 – 56 in (132 – 142 cm)
The North Atlantic is home to the Barnacle Goose, which breeds and spends the winter in eastern Canada and northern US states.
Salt marshes, grassy meadows, pastureland, and agricultural fields are all good places to find Barnacle Geese. They mostly utilize islets, islands, and near-shore cliff ledges throughout the breeding season.
Whether on tundra, near water, or in agricultural fields, Barnacle Geese feed mostly on grass. While near water, they consume aquatic plants and insects, as well as crops and grains in fields.
To keep the eggs safe from predators, Barnacle Geese nests are commonly built on cliff ledges. She lines the nest with soft down feathers and uses mud and dead foliage to create it.
For twenty-five days, the female incubates her five eggs. The immature are brought to marshes with plenty of greenery so they can feed themselves after their eggs hatch. After around 45 days, they fledge.
Fun Fact: The name Barnacle Goose comes from a Medieval fable about how they originated from Barnacles.