Canada Goose - Branta canadensis

Canada Goose

Branta canadensis

Order : Anseriformes

Family : Anatidae ;

Biometrics :

Size : 90 à 100 cm
Wingspan : 160 à 175 cm
Weight : 4300 à 5000 g

Longevity : 24 years

IUCN conservation status :

Extinct

Threatened

Least
concern

Extinc
in the Wild

Near
threatened

Not
evaluated

EX EW CR EN VU NT LC NE

Geographic range :

Synonyms : Kanadagås (sv), Barnacla canadiense (es), Oca del Canada (it), Kanadagans (al), Canadese Gans (nl), Canada Goose (en)

Physical description :
Canada Goose has brown body plumage with pale edges, and black head and neck, with white cheeks and throat. Breast is whitish.
We can see body colour variations, according to the subspecies. Underparts are paler, almost white on tail.
Bill has lamellae around the outside, used as cutting tool. Bill is blackish. Eyes are black. Legs and webbed feet are black.
Both sexes are similar, with male slightly larger than female.
Juveniles are less distinctly pale-barred above, head and neck are dark brown, and facial patch is light brown.

Voice :
Sound from CD 'Tous les Oiseaux d'Europe' by Jean C. Roché by courtesy of Sittelle and CEBA. Canada Goose is very vocal, especially in flight. They utter a deep, almost musical rolling honking 'ah-hank'. This call may be repeated on varied pitches, when birds take off.
Canada Goose is able to utter at least ten different calls.

Habitat : Canada Goose lives in grasslands, chaparral and arctic tundra. We find it near water, in open habitats, but also in parks, gardens and cultivated areas.
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE: Canada Goose lives throughout North America. All subspecies migrate south in winter months, flying in V-shaped formation.
Introduced successfully in Europe and New Zealand, they are now well established.

Behaviour : Canada Geese remain in family groups for several months. Nest is protected by a gander. Its wings are very strong and able to deliver a hard blow. Foxes and predators don't insist. Male is more aggressive than female, and may use its bill to attack intruders and predators. They take off if they are threatened, or they lay out on the ground, with stretched neck, to become less invisible.
When they travel, they stay in family groups, parents flying with the young of the year. They migrate slowly, stopping along the way.
Canada Goose has high tolerance for people. They may winter in cities, parks and golf courses, near ponds. They are protected against predators, except loose dogs. They receive food from people, and people enjoy feed them.
To feed, Canada Goose grazes on grass, and tips up to get aquatic plants, sticking head and upperparts into the water, with tail and back extending in the air.
Canada Goose is gregarious except during breeding season. We can find them in large flocks in winter, near lakes, ponds and coastal waters. They love to swim and bathe, especially in summer.
Canada Goose is monogamous. They may stay together for one breeding season, but they may mate for life.
During courtship display, males fight together with wings and bills. Then, the winner approaches female with head down and undulating neck. It utters hissings and honking noises. Mating occurs in spring and on the water, with female partially or completely submerged.

Flight : Canada Goose flies in large V shaped flocks, or in diagonally straight line.

Reproduction-nesting : Canada Goose nests on the ground, near water. Nest is made with grass, twigs, weeds, pine needles and moss. It is hidden among reeds and tall grasses. Female choose the nest site and builds the nest in an isolated place but with good visibility.
Female lays 4 to 8 white eggs. At this time, nest is lined with feathers and down. Incubation lasts about 23 to 30 days, by female. Male surveys territory. Female turns the large eggs regularly.
Chicks open the shell with their 'tooth' on the top of the bill. They need 24 to 48 hours to hatch. They are precocial, and leave the nest after hatching for food. They remain in family groups, and both parents feed and guard the young. They reach their sexual maturity at one year.
This species produces only one brood per year.

Food habits : Canada Goose feeds mainly on large variety of grasses, aquatic plants, sedges, grain and berries.

Protection / threats : Populations of Canada Geese living in urban and suburban areas are becoming nuisances. They are increasing and cause damages in cultivated areas.
They have nest predators such as gulls, crows and dogs. They are also common game birds in United States and Canada.

Other links :
Iucn
Birdlife