Ross' Goose

Certainly not as flashy as some of the water birds in Florida, this is still quite exciting, as it shouldn't be in Florida at all. They breed on tundra in northeastern Mackenzie and on Southampton Island in Hudson Bay, and spend winters mainly in California, but now occur in increasing numbers in the lower Mississippi Valley and on the east coast. Found in salt and freshwater marshes during winter, this relatively rare bird is carefully monitored by both Canadian and United States game biologists, but some hunting is allowed on its winter grounds. The population has increased in recent years, and there are now estimated to be more than 80,000 Ross's Geese, the great majority of which winter in California's Sacramento Valley. Ross' Goose is a Mallard-sized edition of the Snow Goose. White wings, black wing tips, pink bill, and pink legs. Differs from Snow Goose in its smaller size, 24" (61 cm), very stubby bill, and round head.