Snow Geese (Chen caerulescens) and Ross's Geese (Chen rossii)

Snow Geese
Chen caerulescens

*Snow Geese (Chen caerulescens)* and *Ross's Geese (Chen rossii)* both breed in the tundra regions of northern Canada and Alaska and both winter across a wide area of the United States. Both are white with black primaries and can be a little difficult to tell apart for bird watchers. The Ross's Goose is somewhat smaller than the Snow Goose and it has a more stubby bill. The photo at right and below both show good comparisons of the bills of Snow Geese showing their black "smile" patch and the smaller bill of a Ross's Goose. These photos were taken with a Canon EOS 1N and EF 600 F/4 lens with a 1.4X extender in December, 1999, at Bosque del Apache N.W.R., New Mexico on Fuji Provia F pushed one stop. A Gitzo tripod and Wimberley head were also used. The flight shot is an excellent comparison of the two species side by side and was taken at the same time and place and with the same equipment.
Other shots of Ross's Goose may be found here.