Species · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Greater White-fronted Goose

AnatidaeWaterfowlAnser albifrons

Greater White-fronted Goose has surged: up 42× on the route-weighted index since 1988.

42×Since 1988
28Routes
36Years Surveyed

About the Greater White-fronted Goose

The Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) is a North American member of the Ducks, Geese & Waterfowl (Anatidae). In this analysis it is grouped with the waterfowl.

Size
12–43.5 in long (30–110 cm) — a medium to large waterfowl (typical for the family)
Habitat
Lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes and sheltered coastal waters.
Diet
Aquatic plants, seeds and invertebrates, dabbled at the surface or dived for.
Range
Recorded on 28 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 1 state, most concentrated in the BCR 4.
Family
Anatidae · Waterfowl

Notable Greater White-fronted Goose Trends

No notable trend signals for Greater White-fronted Goose. See the full index history below.

Greater White-fronted Goose Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Greater White-fronted Goose is projected to rise about 89% by 2029 — from 0.06 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.12 (95% range 0.01–0.23). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±39.4%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+89%Change by 2029
0.12Projected 2029 index
0.010.2395% range
±39.4%Backtest error
19862029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected index95% low95% high
20250.110.000.21
20260.110.000.22
20270.110.010.22
20280.120.010.22
20290.120.010.23

Where the Greater White-fronted Goose Is Detected

BBS routes recording Greater White-fronted Goose, sized by most recent count.

Greater White-fronted Goose Population Trend by State

Greater White-fronted Goose population trend by state.
Alaska20×198828

Greater White-fronted Goose Population Trend by Region

Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.

Greater White-fronted Goose population trend by Bird Conservation Region.
BCR 314×19974
BCR 4+608%199119

Greater White-fronted Goose Conservation Status

Our route-weighted index shows it up about 4060% since 1988.

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.