The emperor goose, also known as the beach goose or the painted goose, is a waterfowl species in the family Anatidae, which contains the ducks, geese, and swans. In summer, the emperor goose is found in remote coastal areas near the Bering Sea in arctic and sub-arctic Alaska and the Russian Far East, where it breeds in monogamous pairs. It migrates south to winter in ice-free mudflats and coasts in Alaska, mostly the Aleutian Islands, and Canada's British Columbia, rarely reaching the contiguous United States. Listed as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the species' population is declining due to threats such as pollution, hunting, and climate change.
Region
Bering Sea and North Pacific
Typical Environment
Breeds along arctic and subarctic coastal tundra of western Alaska and Chukotka, Russia, often near lagoons, estuaries, and river deltas. In winter it concentrates along ice-free shorelines of the Aleutian Islands, Alaska Peninsula, and occasionally coastal British Columbia. It favors intertidal mudflats, rocky shores, and eelgrass beds for foraging, shifting with tidal cycles. During migration it stages at coastal stopovers with rich benthic food resources.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 300 m
Climate Zone
Polar
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the beach goose or painted goose, it has a striking white head that can stain rusty orange from iron-rich tidal sediments. It breeds in remote coastal tundra around the Bering Sea and winters farther south on ice-free shores. Pairs are strongly monogamous and show high site fidelity.
An adult emperor goose in Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge.
Stained head in summer
Eggs
Flying close to the ground
At Adak Island
A flock in the Chiniak Bay, located in the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge
Temperament
social and wary
Flight Pattern
strong, direct flight low over water with steady wingbeats
Social Behavior
Forms dense flocks on coastal feeding grounds in winter and migration. Breeds in loose colonies or dispersed pairs on coastal tundra; pairs are long-term monogamous. Nests are ground scrapes lined with down near water; both parents attend young.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations are nasal, low honks and clucking notes, often given in series during flight. On feeding grounds it utters soft grunts and conversational calls within flocks.
