Photo: Andrew C / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Ross’s Goose
Anser rossii
Ross's Goose (Anser rossii) — Ducks, Geese & Swans of North America.
Found across 20 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Ross’s Goose (Anser rossii) is a member of the Anatidae family found in North America. Adults weigh 1.6 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Anseriformes
- Family Anatidae Ducks, Geese, Swans
- Genus Anser
- Species rossii
Quick facts
- Weight
- 1.6 kg
- Diet
- Plant-eaters
- Family
- Anatidae
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Ross’s Goose feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Ross’s Goose is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The Ross’s Goose (Anser rossii) is a member of the Anatidae family, within the order Anseriformes. It occurs naturally across North America. Its distribution covers NA n Canada.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1.6 kg, with a wing length of about 34.6 cm and a tail of around 10.3 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 216,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Ross’s Goose?
The Ross’s Goose is a very large bird that weighs around 1.6 kg.
Where does the Ross’s Goose live?
The Ross’s Goose is found across North America with a range covering NA n Canada, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Ross’s Goose belong to?
The Ross’s Goose (Anser rossii) belongs to the Anatidae family, in the order Anseriformes.
What does the Ross’s Goose eat?
The Ross’s Goose feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.
Does the Ross’s Goose migrate?
The Ross’s Goose is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
Is the Ross’s Goose endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Ross’s Goose make?
3 real field recordings of the Ross’s Goose — including its call and flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, each credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Ross’s Goose's range?
The Ross’s Goose has a mapped global range of about 216,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Anatidae
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Critically Endangered
Least Concern
Near Threatened
More in Waterbirds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern