This guide will assist you identify the various types of geese seen in Mississippi, as well as when and where you are most likely to see them, along with some interesting information.
In Mississippi, seven of the thirteen varieties of geese have been discovered. Except for Canada Geese, who may be seen all year, they are generally visitors in the winter. In addition, two of the species are vagrants.
A gaggle is a collection of geese. Yet have you heard of geese being called shien, wedge, and plump?
Their territorial behavior and loud honking may have been used for centuries to protect pets, people, and even countries!
It is unlawful to torture geese, their eggs, or their nests in the United States without authorization from the government. US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
You might learn more about ducks in Mississippi or swans in Mississippi if you like seeing waterbirds in the state.
7 Types Of Geese In Mississippi:
1. Canada Goose
Every year, Canada Geese can be found in Mississippi. On average, 11% of bird watchers’ summer and 15% of their winter checklists for the state include them.
The Canada Goose, sometimes known as the Canadian goose, is a huge, long-necked goose distinguished by its black head and distinctive white chin strap.
While they share the same black head and white chin strap, Canada Geese are distinguished by their long, graceful neck and huge size.
Their brown bodies have a white rump and a tan or pale chest. The bodies of the subspecies may be brown or gray in color. They have black legs and webbed feet.
- Branta canadensis
- Length: 25 – 45 in (64 – 114 cm)
- Weight: 230.09 oz (6521 g)
- Wingspan: 70 – 75 in (178 – 190 cm)
Canada Geese breed in Canada and migrate to southern US states during the winter, but they remain in northern US states throughout the year and do not migrate. Western Europe is likewise home to them.
Canada Geese can be found practically anywhere. These are typically seen near lakes and rivers, but also near other bodies of water with adequate food sources. They can also live comfortably in metropolitan environments like city parks, reservoirs, golf courses, public parks, and beaches since they are used to humans.
Their population has grown significantly in some areas, and they’re viewed as pests.
When on land, Canada Geese eat grasses and small aquatic insects and fish. On the water, they eat grasses and small aquatic insects. While on agricultural fields, they also eat wheat, rice, and corn. They’ve grown up eating from people and rummaging through trash bins.
Canada Goose nests are frequently found near water, in an elevated location. At a nest made of plant material and down, the female lays up to nine eggs. While the male stays nearby, protecting the eggs, she incubates them for approximately a month.
Their parents bring them to a food source, where they learn how to feed themselves, when they hatch. When parents sense danger or threats to their family, they become extremely territorial and violent.
Fun Fact: Adults lose their flight feathers during the breeding season, as it does with molting season for birds. Just in time for them to fly with their young, they only regrow their feathers after twenty to forty days.
2. Snow Goose
From October to April, Snow Geese can be found in Mississippi, accounting for 3% of winter checklists.
Except for its black wingtips, pink beak with a black grin patch, and pink legs and feet, the Snow Goose is appropriately named because it is completely white.
Interestingly, the Blue Goose has a white head and a dark blue-gray body, yet it is another variation. Due to their feeding habits, both forms of the Snow Geese may have a “stained” head.
Both varieties have comparable sexes, although they may be of various sizes. Males outnumber females in general.
- 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 locate Snow and Blue Geese together. Salt marshes and coastal coves are preferred in the winter, while plowed fields and wetlands are still visited.
In freshwater marshes and agricultural grain fields, you may see both Snow Geese and Blue Geese. They prefer salt marshes and coastal coves in the winter, although they still visit plowed fields or swamps.
On tundra, Snow Goose nests are frequently found in huge colonies. Since females return to the location where they hatched to breed, they build a nest, which is usually a shallow pit on the ground that they reuse multiple times.
She lines the nest with grasses and down after she has laid the first three to five eggs. Goslings can survive on their own after around twenty-four days of incubation.
Fun Fact: When Snow Geese breed, they choose the same hue as themselves and will mate for life.
3. Greater White-fronted Goose
From August to April, Greater White-fronted Geese are most common in Mississippi, where they account for 2% of all checklists.
In Europe, the Greater White-fronted Goose is referred to as the White-fronted Goose, while in North America it is known as the Greater Whitefront.
Greater White-fronted Geese are both rather huge geese, and both sexes look comparable.
They are frequently mistaken for the Graylag Goose because of their barred feathers, which are mostly gray all-over. The white front, which is made up of white feathers around the base of its orange beak, distinguishes them. Their underparts also have black flecks.
- 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 in Canada throughout the summer and migrate across the United States and Mexico during winter. They can be found in Europe and east Asia, though.
The Greater White-fronted Goose breeds in the far north of Canada and migrates to the United States’ West Coast, the Gulf Coast, and Mexico for winter.
During the breeding season, Greater White-fronted Geese may be found in marshy tundra, wetlands, rivers, and ponds. They spend the winter in agricultural fields, marshes, bays, and lakes.
Both land and water provide food for Greater White-fronted Geese. Agricultural fields provide them with food such as seeds and grains. Grasses and berries are also eaten. These insects and mollusks forage in the water when they are near to it.
In shallow depressions in the tundra, Greater White-fronted Geese nests may be found. These are generally three to six egg-laying birds that are covered in grass and down. For two to three weeks, the female incubates them.
Fun Fact: Long-term family bonds exist between Greater White-fronted Geese. They travel together, and the young remain with their parents until the next breeding season. Even their offspring accompany them.
4. Ross’s Goose
During Mississippi’s winter, Ross’ geese may be seen from November through March. On 1% of winter checklists, they are listed.
Ross’ Geese, which often fly with Snow Geese, are rather similar to them. Their small, gray-based red-orange beaks, tiny and stubby, pink-red legs and feet, and black wingtips are the only things that distinguish them from other white birds. The female is somewhat smaller than the male in both sexes.
Ross’ Goose has a dark phase form, but it’s exceedingly uncommon. It features a white head, a brownish beak with a crimson patch, black gray neck, belly and rump.
- Anser rossii
- Length: 21 – 26 in (53 – 66 cm)
- Weight: 59.2 oz (1678 g)
- Wingspan: 47 – 54 in (119 – 137 cm)
Ross’ geese spend the winter in the United States and are bred in northern Canada.
During the winter, you can find Ross’ Geese in both salt and freshwater marshes. They’ll breed on the arctic tundra throughout the breeding season.
Ross’ geese are grazers, and they forage from wetlands, meadows, and fields for sedges and small grains.
Ross’ Geese colonies may be found on lake islands and in the Arctic tundra, where they build nests. Females create nests out of downy grasses, moss, leaves, and twigs that are placed on the ground. Each female produces four to five eggs, which she nurtures for three weeks while they are developing.
Fun Fact: The little geese of North America are called Ross’ Geese.
5. Cackling Goose
During the winter, from November to January, you may see Cackling Geese in Mississippi, although they are not often seen.
Cackling Geese are Canada Geese lookalikes that can be found throughout North America. They were established as a full species in 2004 after being classified as part of the Canada Goose family.
The head and neck of Cackling Geese are black, with a white chin strap. Their bills are triangular, and they’re quite small. They have white stripes on the body and are light brown or tan in color.
Cackling Geese, on the other hand, have stubbier bills, steeper foreheads, and shorter necks than Canada Geese.
The white chinstrap subspecies is one of four subspecies that share the distinctive black heads and necks.
- 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 the winter after breeding in Canada and Alaska.
Cackling Geese may be seen in wetlands and meadows all year. In winter, they often join flocks and reside in lakes, marshes, and fields with other geese. However, in the summer, they prefer to stay on the tundra.
Cackling Geese feed on grasses and berries in open areas while foraging. In agricultural fields, they will also consume crops such as wheat, barley, beans, rice, and corn. They eat aquatic plants in the water.
Cackling Goose nests may be found in groups or alone. They’re usually found near the water in a shallow depression, but just a little higher. The nests are made out of plant materials and down by the females. She will lay eight eggs in there and keep them warm for around a month while incubating them.
Fun Fact: Cackling Geese are easily recognized from Canada Geese because of their distinct “cackling” voice or high-pitched cry.
6. Brant
In Mississippi, Brant Geese are an accidental species. They’re extremely uncommon in the state, and they haven’t been seen in a long time.
A black head, neck, and chest, a white collar or mark on the neck, and a white rump distinguish the Brant Goose from other geese. Several sub-species exist, the most common of which is those with lighter or darker coloring.
- Branta bernicla
- Length: 22 – 26 in (56 – 66 cm)
- Weight: 63.84 oz (1809 g)
- Wingspan: 43 – 48 in (109 – 122 cm)
Before migrating to coastal regions of the United States and Mexico, Brant Geese breed in Canada and Alaska. In addition to Europe, they live there.
During the breeding season, you may see Brant Geese in tundra, marshes, islands, and coastal locations. Salt marshes, lagoons, mudflats, and tidal estuaries are where they live throughout the winter.
Both on land and in water, Brant geese feed mostly on plant material. They favor eelgrass, but they’ll eat any grass they come across. Sedges, pondweed, and aquatic insects are also eaten by them.
In tundra ponds or in elevated areas, Brant Geese nests are frequently found on small islands. They’re grass bowls with down-lined surfaces.
Three to four weeks after the female lays seven eggs, they hatch. The parents bring the baby to the eating area so they can feed themselves when the eggs hatch.
7. Egyptian Goose
In Mississippi, Egyptian geese are incredibly uncommon, with just one instance of a sighting in 2016 near Bonita Lakes.
The Egyptian Goose, which has become invasive in several nations, is a decorative bird often seen in zoos and aviaries.
Egyptian geese have certain characteristics that make them immediately distinguishable. 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.
Their collar is crimson-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 juveniles are a deeper reddish-brown. Their bellies are usually brown or tan in color. Dark brown backs and wings cover them.
- 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 Africa origins.
Egyptian Goose may be found near water in open areas, marshes, and non-forested regions. Zoos and aviaries are also common places for them to be kept.
Seeds, leaves, grasses, and plant stems are all favorites of Egyptian geese. Algae and aquatic plants, as well as insects and tiny creatures, will be consumed by them.
Egyptian Goose nests may be found on the ground, inside hollows of trees, and in the nests of other creatures. Nests contain up to twenty-two eggs that take approximately a month to develop. They are generally constructed of grasses, leaves, and down.
The young will be looked after by their parents, but they must learn how to feed themselves.
Fun Fact: Ancient Egypt regarded the Egyptian Goose to be a holy bird, and they appear in a lot of their paintings.