Species › Birds › Greater White-fronted Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifrons

CommonBird
Illustration of Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons)

The Greater White-fronted Goose is a medium-sized gray-brown goose with a distinctive white blaze at the base of the bill and irregular black bars on the belly of adults. It is the most widespread goose in the world, breeding on arctic tundra. Its loud, laughing 'kow-lyow' calls are a characteristic sound of migrating flocks.

Habitat
Arctic tundra in summer; agricultural fields and marshes in winter
Diet
Grasses, grains, sedges, and agricultural crops
How common
Common

Best time to see a Greater White-fronted Goose

The best time to see a Greater White-fronted Goose is October–February, when about 68% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 16,534 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Greater White-fronted Goose? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Greater White-fronted Goose sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spotted a Greater White-fronted Goose?

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal and know for sure - plus a live map of where it is being spotted near you.

Get Huck - free
5,300+species
63national parks
50states

More birds

Greater Yellowlegs
Greater Yellowlegs
Tringa melanoleuca
Green Hermit
Green Hermit
Phaethornis guy
Green Heron
Green Heron
Butorides virescens
Green Honeycreeper
Green Honeycreeper
Chlorophanes spiza
Green Ibis
Green Ibis
Mesembrinibis cayennensis
Green Jay
Green Jay
Cyanocorax yncas
Green Kingfisher
Green Kingfisher
Chloroceryle americana
Green Parakeet
Green Parakeet
Psittacara holochlorus