Goose, along with the other members of the bird family Anatidae, are some of the most familiar types of birds.
These are the birds you might see in your backyard, and these birds are prevalent in North America and many parts of Europe.
The different types of Goose are found worldwide, including in Australia, Africa, and Asia.
Furthermore, geese have several distinct characteristics that differentiate them from other types of waterfowl.
1. Toulouse Goose
Originating from France, these birds were originally bred for their ability to provide rich foie gras.
They’re still prized for that reason today. If you see one grazing your front lawn, it’s a pet!
However, if you feed them well, they can be perfectly domesticated pets.
2. African Goose
Though known as geese, African geese are a type of duck. While they look similar to other Goose, their body is more compact and pear-shaped.
Furthermore, they are smaller than most Goose types, ranging from 20 to 23 inches long. Their wingspan is approximately 4 feet across.
There are different types of Goose; its meat is considered a delicacy among some cultures.
3. Andean Goose
Andean Goose lives in tropical highlands, up to about 4,000m. They breed near lakes and marshes, as well as on small islands.
Andean Goose is a different type of Goose that is most commonly found in Argentina and Chile.
In addition, they are also seen throughout much of Peru and Bolivia.
Because they can be easily confused with barnacle geese, scientists aren’t sure how many exist worldwide or where they spend most of their time.
However, less than 25,000 pairs are estimated to be left in their native habitat.
The Andean Goose is unique from other types of Goose.
It spends its life year-round at relatively low altitudes (below ), where food sources remain available year-round.
4. Hawaiian Goose
The Hawaiian Goose, also known as nene, is one of the different types of Goose that is endemic to Hawaii.
The population has been reduced to 1,000-2,500 birds due to predators like mongooses and dogs.
Their numbers were once so low that they were on the brink of extinction, but now conservation efforts are being made by humans.
To boost their numbers, you can order captive-bred nene goslings online and set them free once they’re old enough.
Make sure there’s no risk to native Hawaiians before you do it!
5. Greylag Goose
The most common type of Goose that people see in their backyards is likely to be a greylag goose.
These geese are also known as wild geese because they can live freely throughout most parts of Europe and much of Asia.
Like all Goose, greylags make their homes along lakes and wetlands, where there’s plenty of food.
6. Ross Goose
On our list of the different types of Goose, the Ross goose is one of two types of Canada geese.
Ross geese are famous among hunters and are considered some of their best meat.
Females have no orange in their eyes, whereas males have orange eye colors ranging from red to orangish brown.
Younger males can sometimes be seen with an orange beak as well!
Though they’re not threatened by extinction, they are one of the different types of Goose that face a declining population due to hunting and habitat loss.
Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to make sure that your neighborhood isn’t negatively affecting these beautiful creatures!
7. Emperor Goose
The emperor goose is native to far eastern Russia but was introduced to many areas throughout North America.
An extremely hardy bird, it has now grown quite accustomed to a wide range of habitats.
These types of Goose can live anywhere from sub-arctic tundra to lakeside beaches and even urban environments.
Further, Emperor geese are one of Canada’s most recognizable symbols, adorning coats of arms and appearing on much Canadian currency.
However, the number of these birds has significantly decreased due to hunting and habitat destruction.
Fortunately, conservation efforts have allowed numbers to rebound somewhat in recent years.
They are still classified as a vulnerable species by Environment Canada today. They even grow more significant than their wild cousins, too!
8. Pilgrim Goose
The Pilgrim Goose is a type that is rather large and can be found in wetland areas.
This bird is one of three types of Goose commonly seen throughout North America.
Additionally, the other two types include whistling geese and snow geese.
These birds also have specific characteristics that make them unique from each other.
For instance, snow geese prefer to live in colder climates, whereas whistling geese tend to stick to warm areas with fresh water access, such as lakes or marshes.
9. American Buff
Like many other types of Goose, they are gregarious birds that flock together for protection and safety.
They can live near waterways and cultivated land where grasses grow plentiful (and tasty!).
10. Pomeranian Goose
Their fluffy plumage and cute face characterize a breed developed in Britain, these little white balls of fluff.
They will flock around you if they like you but have been known to chase people who look at them wrong.
However, the Pomeranian goose isn’t brilliant. But don’t count them out too quickly from other types of Goose; they might surprise you with a good idea once or twice over a short period.
Lastly, make sure not to get bitten. They are prone to biting and pecking if they think you’re getting too close to their nests.
11. Steinbacher Goose
The Steinbacher goose is a breed of domestic goose raised for meat.
The breed was developed from a population derived from feral Greylag geese, descended from wild Greylag geese imported to North America around 1851.
Thus, they are sometimes called Polish or Polski geese to distinguish them from other domesticated Goose types.
Steinbacher geese are bred primarily for their meat. Their type is different from other different types of Goose.
They are a rare breed that lays many eggs (up to 150) with few fertility problems.
12. Scania Goose
This Swedish breed is considered a cross between a West Greenland and a Swedish barnacle goose.
They are great pets but have been known to have aggressive tendencies.
If you keep your Scania as a pet, socialize them well so they don’t become aggressive towards people later in life.
13. Shetland Goose
(Branta fasciata) This species, native to Eurasia, is a medium-sized goose with a black head and neck, pale gray back, and wings.
The breast and belly are white. Immature birds are mottled brown.
This type of Goose is unique as it breeds around St. Petersburg, Russia, on islands off west Scotland, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Alaska, and northwestern Canada.
Furthermore, the winter on coasts or open grassy areas throughout western Europe, northern Asia, and North America up to Labrador.
14. Chinese Goose
The Chinese Goose is an endangered species among the different types of Goose.
Thereby making it illegal to kill these birds in many states. These birds can live up to 20 years if provided with proper care.
Most often kept by zoos due to their rarity and close association with humans. You may find one of these waterfowl at your local zoo or aviary.
15. Tufted Roman Goose
This small, all-white Goose is known for its distinct tuft. The white and gray plumes on its head create a crown similar to a lion, unique from other types of Goose.
They’re found throughout Europe and Asia and prefer cool areas, especially those near water.
Tufted Roman geese are generally tame around humans, making great lawn ornaments or pets.
However, they will defend their nests if threatened by predators, which can lead to messy confrontations between these gentle birds and aggressive animals such as dogs or foxes.
16. Canada Goose
Among the different types of geese, two are called Canadian geese.
These include snow and blue. Additionally, juveniles have whitish cheeks with scaly brown markings on their heads.
Their upper wings are gray with darker flight feathers; their under wings are pale gray with black flight feathers.
17. Embden Goose
They are known for their ability to adapt to new environments. These particular types of Goose originated in China but have since been spread around by humans.
They are generally found on farms and are raised for food.
18. Northern Pintail
Though it resembles a duck, a Northern Pintail is one of the different types of Goose.
Their nesting season extends from April to June, when they form life-long monogamous bonds with each other after pairing off in February or March, when migration begins.
19. Wood Duck Goose
This is a winter bird, which means it nests in North America and spends its winters at warmer latitudes.
When summer comes around, it returns to its nest. This is one of the different types of Goose known as woodies.
These birds are found throughout North America. They live near ponds, rivers, and other freshwater sources with plentiful vegetation.
Also, they have orange legs and beaks with yellow tips. Male wood ducks are much more colorful than females.
