Snow Geese Migration

Snow geese are a breathtaking sight when they fly, featuring white plumage and black-tipped wings. Their strong, steady wingbeats enable them to undertake long migrations, and the black-edged feathers enhance their durability. By flying in V formations, they conserve energy and maintain coordination within the group, showcasing a remarkable display of strength and teamwork.

Snow geese migrate between the Arctic, where they breed in the summer, and the southern U.S. or Mexico for the winter. They follow established flyways that provide food and resting spots, traveling in large, synchronized flocks over thousands of miles. This migration is essential for their survival and benefits the ecosystems they encounter.

The Science Behind the Morphs

The color variation in snow geese is believed to be an adaptive trait. Blue morphs are more common in southern breeding populations, where their darker plumage offers better camouflage against predators. In northern areas, white morphs dominate, blending in with the snow.

Interbreeding between the two morphs occurs frequently, allowing offspring to inherit traits from both parents and ensuring the presence of both morphs in snow goose populations.

Skagit Valley, Padilla Bay Trailhead

02.25.2025

© Chris LeBoutillier