Adult snow geese (Chen caerulescens atlantica) completely white except for black primary feathers visible at edge of wings; pinkish feet; long and heavy pink beak with black, serrated edges giving the appearance of a “smile”; goslings with gray plumage and grayish-white markings, becoming white during their first winter; slate-colored beak and feet.

External characteristics :   Wingspan possibly exceeding 1.5 m (5 ft); males weigh up to 3.5 kg (8 lb), females slightly less, goslings 1.5 to 3 kg (3 to 7 lb) during their first fall season.

Snow geese feed on plant roots growing along muddy shorelines. Their heads are characteristically rust-colored, taking on traces of the rust in the mud as they continuously forage for food.