Summary of Goose and Swan Populations. Of the 21 applicable goose and tundra swan (Cygnus columbianus) populations included in this year’s report with updated estimates, the primary monitoring indices for 2 of these populations had signifcant ( < 0.05) negative trends (% change per year) during the most recent 10-year period:

Goose populations are calculated using a combination of aerial surveys and models that rely on band recovery and harvest estimates. Viewed broadly, estimates for most goose populations were down in 2023 compared to the previous year.

The primary purpose of the WBPHS is to provide information on spring population size and trends for most North American duck species, several populations of Canada geese, tundra swans, and American coot, and to evaluate breeding habitat conditions.

Additionally, greater snow geese declined 22% to 585,000, 3% below the 10-year average. Atlantic brant are a bright spot for the East Coast and, moreover, across all geese in general. They’ve increased 11% to an estimated 122,000, just 2% below the 10-year average.

White-fronted geese midcontinent population estimates declined 59% from 2023 to 2024, short almost 2 million geese from the 2023 estimate of 3.2 million. Although the number seems like a sharp decline, the midcontinent population is only 7% below the 10-year trend estimate.