Brant (Branta bernicla)

Family: Anatidae

Habitat: Found in Arctic tundra; in winter, usually frequents coastal bays, marshes, and estuaries (A.O.U. 1998).

Distribution: Breeding range extends form Southampton Island in Hudson Bay north to Greenland and west along the Arctic coast and islands of northern Canada to Western Alaska. Winters on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of the United States, south to Baja California, Mexico, and Florida; also along the coastline of British Columbia and southeastern Alaska (A.O.U. 1998).

Field Marks: Small size; black on head, neck, and upper breast. Note small, white patch on side of neck. Depending on subspecies, belly color may be pale gray or mostly black in color.

Nest Habits: Breeds in loose colonies; nest is placed on the ground and is a depression lined with down feathers, grasses, leaves, and other materials.

Eggs: 1-8, usually 3-5; 73 millimeter; dull white in color.

Incubation: Incubation lasts approximately 22-26 days, by female. Young are able to fly when they are approximately 40-50 days old; both sexes care for the young.

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

Family: Anatidae

Habitat: Found in a variety of habitats, ranging from tundra to pasturelands, and flooded agricultural fields to wooded swamps; almost always near water.

Distribution: Breeding range extends from the Arctic coast of Alaska east to northern Canada and western Greenland; and south to an approximate line extending from central California east to Tennessee, Kentucky, New York, and Virginia. Widespread in winter, at which time it can be found in southern Alaska, southern Canada, and throughout many of the lower 48 states; and even into northern Mexico. In the U.S., there are many feral populations of Canada Geese, even in areas that are outside the normal breeding range (A.O.U. 1998).

Field Marks: Black neck, gray body plumage, and white chin patch that extends up onto side of face.

Nest Habits: Breeds on the ground, usually near water. Nest consists of a depression lined with grasses, mosses, and small sticks. Also readily accepts artificial nest platforms.

Eggs: 2-12, usually 4-7; 74-90 millimeter; white.

Incubation: Incubation lasts approximately 25-30 days, by female. Young are able to fly when they are approximately 40-73 days old; both sexes care for the young.

Ross' Goose (Chen rossii)

Family: Anatidae

Habitat: Tundra and other open areas, usually near bodies of fresh water or brackish marshes. Often forages in pasturelands, cultivated fields, and flooded farmlands.

Distribution: Breeds in northern Mackenzie and northwestern Keewatin, east to Southampton Island and the west coast of Hudson Bay south to James Bay. Wintering range primarily consists of the interior valleys of California; can also be found in southern New Mexico, northern Mexico, Colorado and Oklahoma east to Missouri and southwestern Louisiana. In migration, may also be found in other mid-Western states (e.g., Iowa and Illinois), Kentucky, and Tennessee (A.O.U. 1998).

Field Marks: Similar to the Snow Goose, but noticeably smaller in size, with a shorter neck, and a smaller, stubbier bill that lacks a 'grinning patch'. In adults, base of bill is often covered with bluish warty protuberances. Immatures are similar to immature Snow Geese, but are usually paler in color (and, of course, smaller in size).

Nest Habits: Breeds on the ground, in colonies. Nest consists of a depression or scrape that is lined with grasses, mosses, lichens, and twigs or roots.

Eggs: 1-6, usually 3-5; 74 millimeter; white.

Incubation: Incubation lasts approximately 21-24 days, by female. Young are able to fly when they are approximately 40-45 days old; both sexes care for the young.