BirdNote Daily Sister Species: Snow Goose and Ross’s Goose
Oct 16, 2025
Dive into the fascinating world of waterfowl as two closely related species, Ross's and Snow Geese, are explored. Discover how glaciers played a pivotal role in their evolutionary split over two million years ago. Learn to identify these sister species by their size, neck length, bill shape, and even vocal pitch. With engaging tips on spotting these geese in the wild, listeners are invited to hone their birdwatching skills while appreciating the wonders of nature.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Sister Species From Ancient Separation
- Ross's and Snow Geese look similar but represent a sister-species split in evolution.
- Genetic separation likely occurred over two million years ago when glaciers isolated populations.
How To Tell The Sisters Apart
- Look closely at flocks of white geese to notice size and proportion differences.
- Use neck length, bill size, and voice pitch as identification clues when watching flocks.
Key Physical Differences To Spot
- Ross's Geese evolved notably smaller bodies and different proportions after isolation.
- Size, neck length, bill size, and voice pitch distinguish Ross's from Snow Geese.