A distinctive goose found locally along rocky coasts and in intertidal areas; very rarely away from the shoreline. Usually in pairs or small groups, readily associating with other geese. Pure white male stands out at long range, but handsomely patterned female can be cryptic—note her white tail, pale brown cap. First-year males are variably intermediate in plumage between adult males and females. In flight, females show bold black-and-white wing pattern like other austral geese such as Upland Goose.