Ross's
GooseRoss's Goose -- South Dakota Birds
| Length: 20-25 inches | Wingspan: 48-54 inches | Seasonality: Migrant |
| ID Keys: White overall, stubby dark pink bill with warty blue base, lack of "grinning patch" seen on Snow Goose, smaller than Snow Goose. | ||
Ross's
Goose
Chen rossii
The Ross's Goose can sometimes be found with its close cousin, the Snow Goose, as they migrate through the state. While quite similar, Ross's Geese can be differentiated from the Snow Goose by their smaller size, shorter stubby bill with a warty blue base, lack of a "grinning patch" on the beak, and shorter neck. They were once considered extremely rare, but have been increasing in numbers in recent decades. They are the smallest goose normally found in North America.
Habitat: Breeds on the Arctic Tundra, primarily in wetland areas of mixed grass and brushy thickets. In migration and in winter, they can be found in a variety of aquatic environments, as well as agricultural fields where they may feed heavily on waste grain.
Diet: Primarily feeds on grasses and sedges. Also can feed quite heavily on roots, seeds, and waste grain in farm fields.
Breeding: Non-breeder in South Dakota
Song: To listen to this bird, click here to go to the "E-nature.com" site for this species, and click on "listen to this bird".
Migrations: Summers in or near the Arctic Circle. Most winter in central California, but with increasing numbers of the species in recent decades, they have also begun to winter in other locations in the southwestern United States.
Similar Species: Snow Goose. Click here for identification tips for Snow and Ross's Goose.
Status: Populations are increasing in the past few decades.
Further Information: 1) Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Ross's Goose
2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Ross's Goose"
Photo Information: March 23rd, 2003 -- 10 miles southwest of Sioux Falls in Lincoln County -- Terry L. Sohl
Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Ross's Goose photos.
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| South Dakota Status: Uncommon to common winter resident. |
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Click here for references used to compile this page
Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl
This page was last edited on 02/03/08
