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Monday, September 10, 2018

Oklahoma Migratory Species Profile: Greater White-fronted Goose




Brown-gray geese with dark belly bars (hence the nickname specklebelly), the Greater White-fronted Goose migrates through the area.  It is generally uncommon and local, even in its favorite winter ranges.

It is sooner heard than seen, with a high pitched laughing or yelping.  Know that sound and you'll not miss it, as it has a small and local winter range in Oklahoma at meadows, lakes, marshes and grain fields.

It will be seen in the Oklahoma skies in groups as it heads south, but look high, because it will be heard.  Its name was obtained for the small patch of white feathers at the base of its pink or orange bill.  There are three distinct subspecies seen in North America.  The group that is most often seen in the Great Plains will be the birds that breed in Far Slope of Alaska through the western and central Canadian Arctic, the Anser albifrons gambeli.


                                                      Greater White-fronted Goose
                                                     Boomer Lake Park, April 2018

On the breeding grounds, these migrants are very territorial, just like our Canada Geese.  Young stay with their parents for about the first year, and it takes them about two-and-a-half years to breed.  They will remain in the same breeding area.  They are strong fliers and will fly in the familiar "V" formation or in single file.

They are often in the company of other geese and will usually flush before the rest.

Who else is with the Greater White-fronted Goose?

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2018/04/boomer-lakes-year-of-bird.html

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2018/02/januarys-birds-of-boomer.html




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