Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens (Chen caerulescens)

General Status Rank: 
Secure
ELCODE: 
ABNJB04010
Common Name: 
Snow Goose
Scientific Name: 
Anser caerulescens (Chen caerulescens)
Synonyms: 
Chen caerulescens
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Bird
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Aves
Order: 
Anseriformes
Family: 
Anatidae
References: 
B004
General Biology
Canada Known Subspecies Count: 
2

Female Age at Maturity

2 to 3 years
References: 
B999

Longevity

average age unknown, oldest known 26.6 years
References: 
CS11

Economic/Human Considerations

important to sport hunters in southern Canada and US
References: 
B999
Habitat
northern plains near ponds, shallow lakes, or streams.
References: 
B004
H127
Distribution

Ecozones

Arctic Cordillera, Northern Arctic, Southern Arctic
References: 
B004

Distribution

0.14 (B004); ~5-10% of total NWT area. Range extent visually estimated from range map in "Distribution of birds in NWT & Nunavut: 2009 Review" (CWS).
Score: 
F
References: 
B004
Winter Distribution Description: 
southern BC to southern US

Number of Occurrences

loose colonies; unknown number of colonies in NWT, more than 6, prob. More than 20
References: 
H127

Historical Distribution

unknown, but possibly similar to present
References: 
H127

Area of Occupancy

unknown, but probably stable
Score: 
-
References: 
B888
R266
Population

Population Size

Western Arctic population 2014 population estimate is 420,000 (R266)
Score: 
D
References: 
R266

Density

loose colonies
Trends

Trends

The western Arctic population of Lesser Sow Geese is showing a pattern of population growth that is similar to that which has been observed in other populations of Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese. The population has been designated as overabundant, and special conservation measures are being implemented - liberalized harvest and a spring conservation season beginning in spring 2015 (R266)
Score: 
H
References: 
B888
R266
Threats

Threats

destruction of habitat by overgrazing,destruction of habitat by overgrazing main issue
Score: 
C
References: 
B004
H127

Intrinsic Vulnerability

In north, pollution, development, global climate change; destruction of habitat by overgrazing main issue
Score: 
-
References: 
B004
H127
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Secure
Status Rank Description: 
Habitat destruction is a major management issue
S Rank: 
S5
Decision Process Description: 
Drafted by Jim Hines with review by S. Carriere, mostly based on printed material in 2000; Reviewed in 2005 by J. Hines and C. Swoboda based on printed literature only, no change in status; Reviewed in 2010;no change ; Reviewed by Ian Fife and Cindy Wood CWS in 2015, no change; Reviewed by Cindy Wood in 2020, no change (s4 to s5)
Last Updated: 
September 11, 2020

References

Age Of Maturity

  • Bellrose, RC (1980) Ducks, geese, and swans of North America. Wildlife Mangement Institute and Stackpole Books 3rd edition CWS office. Yellowknife - B999 Return

Area of Occupancy

  • Filion A, and KM Dickson (eds.) (1999) Status of migratory game birds in Canada - November 2, 1999.. Unpublished report. Canadian Wildlife Service. CWS office. Yellowknife, Ottawa. - B888 Return
  • Canadian Wildlife Service Waterfowl Committee. 2014. Population Status of Migratory Game Birds in Canada: November 2014. CWS Migratory Birds Regulatory Report Number 44. (2014) CWS Migratory Birds Regulatory Report Number 44. - R266 Return

Economic Status

  • Bellrose, RC (1980) Ducks, geese, and swans of North America. Wildlife Mangement Institute and Stackpole Books 3rd edition CWS office. Yellowknife - B999 Return

Ecozones

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Habitat

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return
  • Hines, Jim (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife biologist, CWS, Yellowknife - H127 Return

Historical Distribution

  • Hines, Jim (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife biologist, CWS, Yellowknife - H127 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return
  • Hines, Jim (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife biologist, CWS, Yellowknife - H127 Return

Longevity

  • Clapp, R. B., Klimkiewicz, M. K., Kennard, J. H. (1982) Longevity records of North American birds: Gaviidae through Alcidae. Journal of Field Ornithology 53: 81–124 - CS11 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Bellrose, RC (1980) Ducks, geese, and swans of North America. Wildlife Mangement Institute and Stackpole Books 3rd edition CWS office. Yellowknife - B999 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Hines, Jim (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife biologist, CWS, Yellowknife - H127 Return

Population Size

Canadian Wildlife Service Waterfowl Committee. 2014. Population Status of Migratory Game Birds in Canada: November 2014. CWS Migratory Birds Regulatory Report Number 44. (2014) CWS Migratory Birds Regulatory Report Number 44. - R266 Return

Range Extent

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Filion A, and KM Dickson (eds.) (1999) Status of migratory game birds in Canada - November 2, 1999.. Unpublished report. Canadian Wildlife Service. CWS office. Yellowknife, Ottawa. - B888 Return
  • Canadian Wildlife Service Waterfowl Committee. 2014. Population Status of Migratory Game Birds in Canada: November 2014. CWS Migratory Birds Regulatory Report Number 44. (2014) CWS Migratory Birds Regulatory Report Number 44. - R266 Return

Taxonomy

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Threats

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return
  • Hines, Jim (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife biologist, CWS, Yellowknife - H127 Return