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Status: Population size: 84,500 Photo by Donna Dewhurst, US Fish & Wildlife Service.

Emperor Goose
(Chen canagica)

The Emperor Goose is a small stocky goose found in Alaska and nearby parts of Russia. Breeding and wintering on coastal beaches in the area, the population of this blue-gray goose declined drastically in the 1970's and 80's. The causes of this decline are not well understood.

Identification
A small blue-gray goose with a round body and white head. Although some dark forms of Snow Goose and Ross's Goose can appear similar at first glance, the white tail set off from this species' dark tail coverts and body is unique.

Distribution and Population Trends
Restricted to the coasts of Alaska and nearby Russia. The Emperor Goose breeds primarily in western Alaska, and parts of Russia flanking the Bering Strait. In winter, the majority of the population moves to the Aleutian Islands, where they seek out ice-free beaches though rarely individuals have been found along the Pacific Coast south to California.

The Emperor Goose population declined from an estimated 139,000 in 1964 to 42,000 in 1986. Aerial counts were not carried out continuously during this time period, but have been since 1981. Currently, the population seems to be on the rise in Alaska. Little is known about the cause of this decline, or when after 1964 it may have begun.

Ecology
Nest site selection is made by the female Emperor Goose and usually occurs immediately prior to egg laying. Nests are lined with dead vegetation from the immediate area, and down is added after a number of eggs have been laid. The male Emperor Goose stands nearby during nest building and egg laying. Males may chase other males away from the area of the nest site. Males will also confront predators, or try to distract them and lead them away from the nest site. The female is sole incubator of the eggs. Young are covered in down when they emerge from the egg, and leave the nest soon after hatching.

The Emperor Goose feeds primarily on plant matter during the breeding stage. In winter, this species feeds primarily on invertebrates and marine vegetation found in the intertidal zone.

Threats
Due to its low population size, and restricted range, the Emperor Goose is especially vulnerable to local catastrophic events, such as oil spills. In winter, the majority of the global population of this species can be found in the Aleutian Islands. Large percentages of the population also concentrate in staging areas along the Alaskan Peninsula during migration.

Subsistence hunting in the spring and summer may have contributed to their decline. In spring, adult birds in flight are reported to circle closely around humans walking on the tundra.

Conservation
Management guidelines have been established for the species, including closure of all hunting when the three year running average for the population falls below 60,000 birds. Hunting is not allowed again until the population is estimated at 80,000 or more.

The majority of Emperor Goose breeding habitat is protected by the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge (http://www.r7.fws.gov/nwr/yd/ydnwr.html). Migratory staging areas are also protected as State Critical Habitat, and wintering grounds are contained within the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge (http://www.r7.fws.gov/nwr/akmnwr/akmnwr.html).

What Can You Do?
U.S. National Wildlife Refuges provide essential habitat for the Emperor Goose, and a great number of other species throughout the U.S. and its territories. Unfortunately, the refuge system is often under-funded during the U.S. government's budgeting process. To learn more about how you can help gain much needed funding for U.S. National Wildlife Refuges, visit: http://www.audubon.org/campaign/refuge_report/

Audubon's Important Bird Area program is another tool for the conservation of the Emperor Goose as well as other species. To learn more about the Important Bird Areas in Alaska, and to learn how you can help with the IBA program visit: http://www.audubon.org/bird/iba/ak.html

References
Petersen, M.R., Schumutz, J.A. and Rockwell, R.F. 1994. Emperor Goose (Chen canagica). In The Birds of North America, No. 97 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA and The American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D. C.