The Canada Goose

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The Canada Goose

The Canada Goose with its black head and white chinstrap, is among the most familiar of all the North American waterfowl. In the summer they can be seen grazing in large flocks in parks and fields, and along rivers and streams. Canadian Geese are best known for their V-shaped formation when migrating, and their loud, incessant honking.

Description 

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 

Cackling Goose with Canada Goose by Dendroica cerulea

Cackling Goose with...

Cackling Goose stretching its neck by Dendroica cerulea

Cackling Goose stret...

Cackling Goose in flock stretching its neck by Dendroica cerulea

Cackling Goose in fl...

Cackling Goose in flock by Dendroica cerulea

Cackling Goose in fl...

Cackling Goose with Canadas by Dendroica cerulea

Cackling Goose with...

Cackling Goose in flock by Dendroica cerulea

Cackling Goose in fl...

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Range and Habitat 

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.

Mating and Nesting 

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.

Canada Geese 

Canada Geese

Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 12/17/2009)Buy Now

The Canadian Goose form strong family bonds. Goslings stay with their parents for a full year, returning to the breeding grounds with them after their first winter.

Diet 

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.

The Canada Goose 

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Matt Stajan + Canada Goose

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Hey! Go feed somewhere else.

Voice 

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

Scientists believe that Canada Geese fly in "V" formation because of the "drafting effect." The goose in the lead splits the air current so the goose following him can conserve his energy. When the goose in the lead tires, he drops to the rear and another goose assumes the lead.

Migration 

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.

Geese in Flight 

Selecting a Pair of Bird Watching Binoculars 

Nikon Monarch Binoculars 

Nikon Monarch ATB Binoculars


Nikon Monarch ATB Binoculars

The Nikon Monarch Binoculars

The waterproof, fog-free Nikon binoculars are perfect for outdoor use. Bright, beautifully defined images are delivered by superior quality, multilayer coated lense.O-ring seals and nitrogen gas provide added resistance to the effects of changes in climate, while the durable design and rubber armoring ensure reliable performance and a comfortable grip, even during prolonged use. Worry-free viewing of the great outdoors.

Waterfowl: An Identification Guide to Ducks, Geese, and Swans 

Waterfowl: An Identification Guide to the Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World

Amazon Price: (as of 12/17/2009)Buy Now

An Amazon Review
Waterfowl: An Identification Guide to the Ducks, Geese and Swans of the World" is a wonderful guide for waterfowl identification, with beautiful colored plates of all 155 species of ducks, geese, and swans. A really nice book for everyone who likes wild waterfowl. The only thing I miss are the screamers which are also a part of the anseriformes (waterfowl).

Ducks, Geese, and Swans 

Remember the birds 

Canada Geese II (Over Water) Framed Art Poster Print - 16" X 20"

Amazon Price: $24.99 (as of 12/17/2009)Buy Now

Bring the beauty inside with this beautifully framed print.

Have you seen any interesting birds lately? 

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  • Reply
    ftuley ftuley Dec 12, 2009 @ 3:07 am
    Very informative. Thanks for sharing this information.
    Great lens. Rated it 5 stars.
  • Reply
    OhMe OhMe Sep 1, 2009 @ 6:45 am
    I didn't know that the Goslings were yellow. Welcome to the South Carolina Group with another great lens.
  • Reply
    Ramkitten Ramkitten Jun 23, 2009 @ 11:46 am
    I enjoyed this lens. When I was a child, growing up in New England, we had a pond behind our house. One year, a Canadian goose couple landed on that pond, and my parents gave me a couple of slices of bread to go out and feed them. I named the birds "Herman and Molly," and the pair returned almost daily all summer long before migrating south for the winter. The next year, Herman and Molly returned ... with four friends. The next year, there were at least a dozen. The geese kept coming back, year after year, until the honking of all those birds created quite a raucous, especially when they hung out on our front lawn. When I went away to college, they continued to come back, but when I'd come home for a visit, Herman and Molly would always emerge from the crowd to waddle over and say hello to me and give me some friendly pecks on the feet. Anyhow, just reminiscing.
  • Reply
    pyngthyngs pyngthyngs Mar 10, 2009 @ 9:10 pm
    Oh yes, the Canada Goose. Right now we have quite a few of these camping out in our parks along the Willamette River here in Portland. They're such interesting birds.
  • Reply
    Snozzle Snozzle Mar 3, 2009 @ 10:47 am
    I didn't realise they were 'introduced' to Great Britain. There's certainly a lot of them on a lake near where I live. Must admit they aren't really my favourite goose or duck. Interesting lens.
    Mike.
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About the Author 

Lensmaster ElizabethJeanAllen has been a member since March 16 2008, has rated 4,010 lenses, favorited 445, and has created 200 lenses from scratch. Lizzy Jean donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund. This member's top-ranked page is "The Mallard Duck". See all my lenses

Resources used to construct this page. 

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

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