Snow geese are likely the most ubiquitous waterfowl found at the California Refuges. If you visit the "closed zone" of any of the large Northern California refuges in December to March, you will likely find huge rafts of circling geese making a cacophony of sound.
Snow geese are unmistakable with their brilliantly white plumage with black-tipped wings. And that's pretty much it. You will most certainly see them during hunts on the refuge as well, though often in large flocks over 100 yards out of range. But don't be surprised if you're out on a windy or foggy day and you look over to see a flight of snows only 20 yards off the water. Keep a close eye.
Look-a-likes: snow geese also have a smaller counterpart, the Ross's Goose, which looks almost identical to the snow except for a shorter, stubbier beak.