White goose - Migratory nesting bird of the family Anatidae, order of Anseriformes. Often, the birds have a peace-loving character, but if there is not enough space in the pack, they can hiss and show aggression to protect their offspring and territory.
- Description and photo
- Where does it live?
- Life cycle
- Nutrition
- Breeding features
Description and photo
External characteristics of birds (adult):
- has an average body, length from 80-85 cm;
- weighs no more than 5-6 kg (females are not much less than males);
- has a large wingspan, about 150 cm;
- the bird has a white color (it becomes a completely white bird at the age of 3-4 years);
- there are black feathers on the ends of the white wings;
- a brown speck is formed around the beak, the beak itself is one-time;
- have short but large and powerful single-color legs;
- the neck is short;
- tail rounded shape.
| Big White Goose | Small White Goose |
| Has a long neck | Weight does not exceed 2 kg.Lives in Northern Canada and in the Bering Strait area |
| The color is white, primary feathers are painted black | The color is white (the bird is completely covered with white plumage) or blue (the body has a dark color, and the head is light). |
Where does it live?
The white goose is a rare bird and is distributed only in the territories:
- northern Canada;
- northwest Greenland;
- in Russia (in Chukotka, in Yakutia, on Wrangel Island - near small rivers and lakes);
- on the Arctic coast.
- United States of America;
- British Columbia;
- Canada;
- California;
- Japan;
- Gulf of Mexico.
Having reached sexual maturity, the birds are sedentary, this trait dominates in females, due to the need to extend the genus and form nests.Life cycle
The white goose lives on average 10-20 years, in freedom. This nesting bird is a nomad, which prefers dry land, although it feels great on the water.
The white goose is a very clever bird. Goose families try to break nests near the territory of the white owl, because it protects its possessions from predators (for example, foxes) and thus protects the settlements of northern geese.
Arctic foxes and gulls are the main enemies of birds. There are cases when they steal eggs or goslings. Females constantly monitor the nests and try not to move far away from them.
Nutrition
Feeding snow bird depends on its habitat. For example, in Canada, the basis of the diet is sedge, and on Wrangel Island - vegetative particles of plants.
Most birds use:
- arctic herbs;
- moss;
- cereal;
- lichens;
- shoots of trees;
- roots;
- seeds and berries of plants growing in the tundra.
- small invertebrate freshwater organisms;
- organisms that live on the sea coasts and shallow waters.
Breeding features
The white goose is a unique breed of birds, forming a single pair for life.
In late spring, the breeding season begins. The female lays 4-6 eggs, milky.
The term of incubation is 21 days. The female incubates the laid eggs, and the male protects her and her future offspring.
Birds nest on the ground in which they make small depressions, and then they cover them with downy grass and dried grass. 
In frosty winters, when there is a shortage of nesting grounds for females, females can throw their eggs into other people's nests in order to save offspring.Females of the white goose are very good mothers, therefore they hatch both their own and those of others.
Hatching chicks have an olive color and good fluffiness. The next day after the birth of birds, the birds migrate the cubs to a more secluded place.
White geese are beautiful, loyal, intelligent, hardy birds. They adapt well to any weather conditions. These birds are very gullible and often suffer from the introduction of people into their colonies. Now they belong to the endangered species of birds, so they need to be protected.
