General

Emperor Goose: Small goose with slate-gray plumage subtly barred white and black. Head and hindneck are white while foreneck is dark. Bill is short and pink. Tail is white with black undertail coverts. Legs are bright yellow-orange. Sexes are similar. Juvenile has dark head, neck, bill, and legs.

Range and Habitat

Emperor Goose: Breeds on islands and marshy coasts of western Alaska and winters mainly in the Aleutian Islands east to Kodiak Island. Preferred habitats include coasts, mudflats, and coastal tundra.

Breeding and Nesting

Emperor Goose: Three to eight creamy white eggs are laid in a down-lined ground nest built on an islet in marshy tundra or among driftwood on the coast. Incubation ranges from 14 to 27 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Emperor Goose: Feeds on seaweed, eelgrass, sea lettuce, algae, beach rye, beach pea, sea beach sandwort, grass and sedges, crowberries, mollusks, and crustaceans; forages in salt marshes and tundra meadows.

Vocalization

Emperor Goose: Loud musical notes "kla-ha, kla-ha, kla-ha."

Similar Species

Emperor Goose: Blue phase Snow Goose has entirely white foreneck and chin; also has pink legs and feet.