Common farm bird in North America of varying plumages. Wild birds are gray-brown with paler gray breast and pale-edged feathers on upperparts. Belly is often lightly barred or speckled black. White from the belly to the undertail. Scruffy-looking feathers on neck. Large pinkish-orange bill with little to no white at base. Dark eye and reddish-orange orbital ring. Upper-wing dark with contrasting silvery-gray on the front half. Whitish tail has faint dark subterminal band.

Length: 78 (cm) Wingspan: 158 (cm)

Habitat:

Marshes, wetlands, lakes, estuaries, and farmland. Breeds on arctic tundra and similar open environments.

Behavior:

Gregarious; migrates and winters in large flocks and breeds in loose colonies.

Feeding:

Feeds on grains, grasses, seeds, and aquatic plants.