Canada Goose
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Common Name: Canada
Goose
Class:
Aves
Anseriformes
Anatidae
Branta
Branta canadensis
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Photo: Ivan Andrijevic |
TAXONOMY
Canada Geese are in the family Anatidae. This family is
made up of ducks and duck-like waterfowl. The members of
this family share adaptations to life on the water
including webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers
with special oils to prevent water absorption.
The
Canada Goose has a brown back, light colored belly, and
long black neck. It has a white throat patch that
extends to its cheek as well as a black bill. Its tail
is black with white tail-coverts. Males and females have
identical coloration. Goslings are yellow with greenish
gray on their back and head and a black bill. There is
much variability in color and size between different
Canada Goose populations where they are smaller to the
north and larger in the south. Coloration also varies
from dark brown in the west to lighter colorations in
the east.
Photo: Ivan Andrijevic
HABITAT/DIET
The Canada
Goose is native to North America. It breeds mainly in the northern United States,
Canada, and Alaska. However, because of introductions
and other movements, nesting sites can be found
throughout the continental United States. Wintering
occurs from southern coastal Alaska and southern Canada
to the southern United States and northern Mexico. The
Canada goose has also naturally moved to Northern
Europe, Japan, and eastern Siberia and China. Canada
Geese will inhabit grassy areas near waterways. This
includes commercial areas such as golf courses, farms,
and airports.
The Canada Goose is a herbivore. It eats a variety of
terrestrial grasses and aquatic vegetation as well as
wheat, beans, rice, and corn when these foods are
available. In the water, the Canada Goose will also feed
on the silt.
Photo: M. Noonan
BEHAVIOR
The Canada Goose moves well on the water, on land, and
in the air. They are able to walk and run on land and
paddle on the water. They are especially strong fliers
and migrate long distances. During migration, a flock
will fly in a “V” shape to decrease the
energetic output by increasing aerodynamics. Some
populations of Canada Geese that live in milder climates
have become non-migratory. Adults are rarely preyed
upon. However, if they are preyed upon their predators include the Golden Eagle,
Coyote, Wolf, and Snowy Owl. Egg predators include the
Arctic and Red Fox, Common Raven, American Crow and a
variety of species of gull.
The Canada Goose is monogamous. Pairs are formed in the
second year and usually last for life. The Triumph
Ceremony maintains pair bonds. This display involves
loud honking and the waving of its neck. The female will
select the nest site with the male following her. The
nest is a depression in the ground close to water and is
covered with nearby vegetation. The female will often
make several scrapes in the ground before choosing the
final nest site. The female lays 2 to 9 elliptical,
cream-colored eggs. The female will incubate these eggs for 23
to 30 days while the male defends the nest. After the
eggs hatch, the family group (mother, father, and
offspring) leave the nest. This is possible because young Canada Geese are precocial
which means they can see, have down and
are mobile hours after hatching. The
young fledge 68 to 78 days after hatching.
Photo: Henderson
