Ross's goose Chen rossii

Identification Tips:

• Sexes similar
• Small goose
• Different color phases
• Sometimes hybridizes with similar Snow Goose

White phase-adult

• Entirely white plumage
• Black primaries
• Pink legs and feet
• Pink bill

White phase-immature

• Mostly white plumage-pale gray upperparts
• Black primaries
• Dark legs and feet
• Dark bill

Blue phase-adult

• White head and upper neck
• Dark lower neck and body
• Pale gray wing upperwing coverts
• Scapulars dark-centered with white edges
• Mostly dark primaries and secondaries
• Pink legs and feet
• Pink bill

Similar species:

White phase Ross' Goose is extemely similar to the white phase Snow Goose. The Ross' Goose is smaller with a stubbier bill without the black patch on the mandibles. It also appears rounder-headed with a shorter neck. Immature white phase Snow Goose is darker-backed than the immature white phase Ross' Goose. The rare blue phase of the Ross' Goose can be separated from the similar blue phase of the Snow Goose by the same structural characteristics already mentioned. Hybrids between Ross' and Snow Geese have intermediate characteristics.