- Canada Goose -

Canada Goose

Family: Anatidae

What is a Canada Goose?

Canada geese are big waterbirds with a long neck, large body, large webbed feet, and wide, flat bill. They have a black head with white cheeks and chinstrap, black neck, tan breast, and brown back. Canada geese are one of the best known birds in North America. It is found in every contiguous U.S. state and Canadian province at one time of the year or another.

What is their behavior like?

Due to changing weather, settlement, and farming patterns, many Canada geese have changed their migrations patterns. Normally, the Canada goose summered in northern North America and flew south in when it got cold. This still continues today for the most part, but some have shortened their flight to traditional wintering grounds in the southern U.S. and Mexico. Now we are finding Canada geese have become permanent residents of parks, golf courses, suburban areas, and other human habitats across much of North America. These Canada Goose will remain in flocks year-round, except while nesting.
When the Canada geese migrate, they form impressive and aerodynamic “V-formations.” They can cover 1,500 miles in just 24 hours with a favorable wind, but they normally travel at a much more leisurely rate.

What do they eat?

The Canada goose are herbivorous grazers. In spring and summer, the Canada goose normally feed on sedges and grasses. During fall and winter, they rely more on berries and seeds, including farm grains. They’re very efficient at removing kernels from dry corn cobs. Some subspecies have adapted to urban environments and graze on domesticated grasses year round.