The Canada Goose

The Canadian Goose has a black head and neck with a white chinstrap make it easy to identify the Canada Goose. The upper part of its breast is white with the rest of its plumage a dull brown.

There are several subspecies varying in size and plumage detail, but they are all recognizable as Canadian Geese. The Canadian Goose is 30 to 44 inches in length with a 50 to 71 inch wingspan. The male and female are identical in appearance with the female being slightly smaller.

The Canada Goose is native to North America. It breeds in Canada and in the northern part of the United States. Over the years their range has spread to northern Europe, Siberia and Eastern China. They were introduced in Britain in the late 17th century and are now a familiar sight in the Great Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium and Scandinavia.

The Canada Goose will inhabit almost any type of wetland, from small ponds and streams to large lakes and rivers. Although they prefer the wetland areas, the Canada Goose actually spends more time on land than they do in the water.

Canada Geese mate the second year and are monogamous throughout their lives, but if a mate is lost, the remaining goose will find another mate. They breed earlier in the season than most birds. The goslings hatch usually hatch when the plants are at their highest nutritional value. Those residing in temperate climates begin nesting as soon as the conditions are favorable. Those nesting further north start in late April or early May.

Most nest sites are located near water. The sites chosen offer protection from the wind while still giving the female a clear line of sight. The nest is usually built in a depression on the ground and lined with soft grass and feathers.

A clutch usually consists of 4 to 8 eggs. Both parents assume responsibility for protecting the nest and incubating the eggs, but the female spends more time incubating the eggs. She will leave the nest long enough to feed and bathe before returning to her brood. During the incubation phase (25 to 28 days), the adults molt, losing their flight feathers and cannot fly.

Newly hatched Canada Geese are covered with a yellow down. The family unit stays together with the female leading, goslings following along in a row with the gander bringing up the rear. This arrangement is often called a crèche. Both parents protect their young, becoming violent when necessary.

The gosling's down gives way to feathers and usually fledge (fly) between 6 and 9 weeks of age. The family unit remains together until the spring migration. Females always return to their place of origin, nesting close to where they hatched.

Unlike most waterfowl, the Canada Goose feeds mostly on land. They mostly graze on the leaves of grassy plants, but will also eat leaves, flowers, stems, roots, seeds, and berries. They consume large quantities of plant matter, especially in the springtime. They can be seen grazing in the early mornings and late afternoons. The remainder of the day is spent on or near the relative safety of the water.

In the winter Canada Geese can be seen foraging in fields in search of spilled corn, oats, soybeans, and other crops.

A flock of migrating Canada Gees are readily recognized by their irregular "V" formation. They are often heard as well. There is a steady chorus of honking as they fly along. The honking can be a high-pitched crackling to a deep ka-lunk, ka-lunk. According to researchers, the Canada Goose has 13 different calls. There are loud greetings and alarm calls as well as soft clucks and murmurs.

Goslings communicate with their parents before they even hatch. They peep in greeting, send out distress calls, and let loose high-pitched trills signaling contentment.

Listen to the call of the Canada Goose: Sound Byte: Canada Geese, National Park Service

Like most geese, the Canada Goose migrates. Spotting the V-shaped formation as it crosses the sky symbolizes the transition from winter to spring, and summer to fall. They generally follow the same route but changing food sources will cause a shift in the route. Ultimately they end up right back where they started.

While most Canada Geese migrate, in the warmer climates such as along the Pacific Northwest, some of the flocks have become non-migratory.

Dunn, J.L. & Alderfer, J., Editors. 2006. National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Fifth Edition. National Geographic Society.

Peterson, T.P. & Peterson, V.M. 2002. Birds of Eastern and Central North America, Fifth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, N.Y.

Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology
Seattle Audubon Society
Canada Goose-Branta canadensis, Nature Works
Canada Goose-Branta canadensis, Birds of Nova Scotia