This large Asian goose is found very rarely with semi-regular sightings during the spring over the past 25 years and a single summer record. It has been identified nine times in the Pribilofs with eight spring records and one summer record. All records except one have been from the 1990s or later when coverage was expanded during the spring covering May when a majority of birds have been found. Overall Alaska records suggest this species should be less common than the next species (Tundra Bean-Goose), though recent records from the Pribilofs do not bear out this pattern. As fall coverage is expanded sightings are likely to occur at that time frame with late September-late October being the expected range.
Taiga Bean-Goose can be very difficult to identify from the closely related Tundra Bean-Goose (Anser serrirostris). Field marks to focus on when identifying this species include it’s distinctly larger size with a longer neck and a longer, thinner bill that gives a head profile similar to Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) or Canvasback (Aythya valisineria). There have been an additional five records of bean-geese which have not been identified to species.
