White goose - migratory nesting bird of the duck family, order of Anseriformes. Often, 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.
Important! When flying birds form a wedge - it helps them to fly long distances.
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.
Did you know? White goose is also called "snowy" or "north. "The white goose has two subspecies:
| 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). |
The riches and wisdom of nature never ceases to amaze; each species of animals and birds is ideally adapted to the habitat conditions, for clarity one can familiarize oneself with some species of wild geese, horses, guinea fowls, ducks, partridges.
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 coast of the Arctic.
- United States of America;
- British Columbia;
- Canada;
- California;
- Japan;
- Gulf of Mexico.
Important! Europe is not an attractive habitat for white birds.Northern birds can travel very long distances already at 2 months of age.
Having reached sexual maturity, the birds are sedentary, this trait dominates in females, due to the need to prolong the genus and form nests.The man who ventured to take on the functions of Mother Nature, no less succeeded, the result of this work are numerous breeds of chickens, rabbits, cows, horses, turkeys, pigeons, sheep, pigs, bees, ducks, geese, quails.
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 too.
The white goose is a very clever bird. Goose families try to break their nests near the territory of the white owl, because it protects its possessions from predators (for example, foxes) and thus protects the settlements of the 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.
Did you know? Northern birds communicate in their own language, which has about ten tonalities.
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.
Important! After three years, the geese become sexually mature, it is during this period that they try to create a family.Birds that have created families are kept in groups - so the chances of surviving in the harsh nature increase. Birds can form thousandths of the colony, the distance between which is 1-2 km.
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 and dried grass. 
In frosty winters, when there is a shortage of nesting grounds, females can throw their eggs into other people's nests in order to preserve their 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 carry the pups to a more secluded place.
Important! Birds molt annually. During this period, they are not able to fly. During the molting period, they are located near the reservoirs, since this is the only way to escape from the predator.Chicks are on the wing after 6 weeks. They can swim almost immediately after birth.
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.
