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CANADA GEESE (Branta canadensis; choice 7, pg. 34) vary in color and 

 in size depending on the race. Individuals of some races are almost 

 duck-sized; others are much larger. This range in size can be seen in 

 the bill, as well as other parts (Plate 12b-l,2). Canada Geese are 

 basically dark, distinguished by a white chin, white V-bar on the rump 

 and white undertail coverts. Legs, feet and bill are black. Canada 

 Geese breed in coastal areas from western Alaska to Vancouver Island, 

 British Columbia. By late December most have reached wintering areas, 

 which on the coast extend from Vancouver Island to Mexico. 



BRANT (Branta beicniola; choice 7', pg. 35) are the most marine of the 

 west coast geese. They are slightly larger than a Mallard in size. A 

 white neck collar, sides and undertail coverts contrasts with their 

 otherwise dark plumage. The bill, feet and legs are black. Brant reach 

 their western Alaskan breeding grounds in May and remain until August. 

 They winter from southern Alaska to Baja California from October to April 

 or May. Stragglers have been found in the winter range in June or July. 



EMPEROR GOOSE (rhiiacte canagica\ choice 9, pg. 35) is a large, 

 primarily gray bird. It is the only goose on the west coast with dark 

 undertail coverts. The head and neck of adults are white, legs are orange 

 and bill is pink. Bill, head, neck and legs are dark in the immature. 

 Emperor Geese breed along the coast of western Alaska and winter primarily 

 on the Aleutian Islands. Rarely, small numbers may winter as far south 

 as California. 



WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (Anser albifronsj choice 9', pg. 35 ) is a large, 

 brown bird with a white lower belly and undertail coverts, and a white 

 crescent on the rump. Adults have white on the face, pink bills and 

 orange legs. Immatures lack the white face and have yellow bills and 

 legs. Adults have conspicuous dark patches on the belly. White-fronts 

 occur in breeding areas on the coast in western Alaska from about mid- 

 April until August. Most White-fronts winter at inland locations but 

 they occur along the coast between Alaska and California during migrations 



LESSER SNOW GOOSE (Anser caeruleseens; white phase, choice 4, pg. 34 > 

 dark phase, choice 8, pg. 35) and ROSS 1 GOOSE (chen rossi, choice 4', 

 pg. 34). The white phase of the Lesser Snow Goose and the Ross 1 Goose 

 are whitish birds with black wing tips (black primaries). Juveniles of 

 both species are washed with drab gray and have dark bills whereas adults 

 lack the gray wash and have pink bills. Adult Ross' Geese may have warty 

 protuberances on the upper bill. Adult Snow Geese may have black lip 

 marks. The Blue Goose, a color phase of the Lesser Snow Goose, is dark 

 bodied and white headed. Blue and Ross 1 Geese are rare on the west coast. 

 The white phase of the Lesser Snow Goose occurs on the coast during 

 migrations and during the winter at some coastal locations between San 

 Francisco Bay and southern British Columbia. 



