I've been asked several times to identify the small white duck/goose on the south lake. It is a Ross's Goose, a small version of the Snow Goose. When compared to the Snow Goose, the Ross's has a shorter neck, stubbier bill, lack of a definitive "grin patch", and a more rounded head. Also, since the Ross's tend to forage more on plants at the surface, their heads tend to stay white. Snow Geese may have yellow staining due to rooting deeply in the water for tubers. Both species nest on the arctic tundra, with the Ross's breeding only in Canada. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 12/10/20)
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