Snow Geese Arrive in the Fairbury Area

Thousands of Snow Geese darken the skies in and around Fairbury, Nebraska as they migrate back to their summer feeding grounds in Northern Canada. This spectacle of nature can been witnessed now driving through the agricultural landscape that surrounds the Fairbury area.

Fairbury and the surrounding area lie in the path of the spring migration. Many hunters come to the Fairbury area each spring to take advantage of this opportunity - click here for hunting information including waterfowl seasons, permit information, zone maps, etc. from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

For Fairbury-Area Hunting Guide, click here

About Snow Geese:
The Lesser Snow Goose Chen caerulescens caerulescens has two different appearances, white phase and blue phase. The plumage of white-phase geese is almost completely white, except for black wing tips. The blue-phase goose has a white head, a bluish colour on the feathers of the lower back and flanks, and a body that ranges in colour from very pale, almost white, to very dark. Both the white- and blue-phase snow geese frequently have rusty orange faces, because their feathers have been stained by iron in the earth where the birds feed.

Each spring and fall undulating lines of brilliant white geese with black-tipped wings fly over southern Canada. The strength and beauty of these birds, as they wing their way between arctic breeding areas and temperate wintering habitat, bring pleasure to many people.

Lesser Snow Geese are usually seen in very large flocks and are always quite vocal. When flying they stay together in large groups, but they do not generally fly in Vs like Canada Geese. Instead they form lines or U formations that change shape frequently. Because of the apparent waving motion of the flying lines, snow geese are sometimes known as "wavies."