cormacmacmahon1980
Snow Goose © Cormac Mac Mahon
A rare winter visitor to Ireland from October to March. Slightly smaller than Greylag Goose and more compact than that species. Two types can occur in Ireland, the most typical and obvious being the white-phase. This appears like an all-white Greylag Goose, except for a large black patch on the wings (primary feathers). Blue-phase Snow Geese are markedly different, with only the head and part of the neck being white. The rest of the body is dark brown. Escaped Domestic Geese may resemble either type of Snow Goose, but generally be distinguished by their size.
Snow Goose © Cormac Mac Mahon
A rare winter visitor to Ireland from October to March. Slightly smaller than Greylag Goose and more compact than that species. Two types can occur in Ireland, the most typical and obvious being the white-phase. This appears like an all-white Greylag Goose, except for a large black patch on the wings (primary feathers). Blue-phase Snow Geese are markedly different, with only the head and part of the neck being white. The rest of the body is dark brown. Escaped Domestic Geese may resemble either type of Snow Goose, but generally be distinguished by their size.