Snow Goose

Snow Goose, Chen caerulescens

Often seen flocking together during the winter months within the United States, the Snow Goose is a common migrant species spotted along the major flyway routes.  Not only are snow geese strong fliers, but they are remarkable swimmers and walkers. They adapt very well to use agricultural fields which have allowed population stability, but as agriculture declines in certain areas, so does the population in those areas. As a species known for its philopatry, or the tendency for individuals to exhibit a long-term use of an area, a change in local population is easy to observe; however, this is not always bad news. Goslings reared away from traditional feeding areas have a higher survival rate. This may reflect that philopatry is possibly maladaptive for snow geese at this time.