Geese are distinguished by their beak, which at the base is greater in height than in width, and ends in a nail with a sharp edge. There are small teeth along the edges of the beak. Geese are distinguished by a neck of medium length (longer than that of ducks, but shorter than that of swans), rather high legs, growing closer to the middle of the body than in ducks, and a hard hump, or spur, on the bend of the wing.

Feathers and down are highly developed. Males practically do not differ from females - the differences consist only in a bony outgrowth ("hump") at the beginning of the beak at the nose of the male, as well as in a slightly larger body size.

Many geese cackle or make mumbling sounds, and hiss when they are in danger or when irritated.