Canada Goose
(Genus, species: Branta canadensis)
One of my favorite spring and autumn memories ever since my early childhood was hearing the honk of the Canada Geese. I'd peer up at the sky and look for the telltale V-formation of the flock of geese returning to Canada for the summer or leaving for the winter. This spring, I couldn't help but smile when I noticed my daughters straining their necks in search of the geese.
Distribution/Location
General:
Canada Geese are waterfowl that live throughout most
of North America. They are famous for their life-long mating, though
a widowed goose will usually choose another mate.
The gray area in the picture to the left represents the Canada Goose's breeding area. As you can see, it's extremely widespread.
Used with permission. © Leanne Guenther
Description - male:
Canada Geese are large birds, 20 to 50 inches
long with a wingspan of 50-68 inches.
Canada Geese are most easily identified by their long black neck, with a black head, crown and bill. They have a contrasting white cheek and throat area. Their undertail coverts are white. Their back, upper wings and flank are dark brown with a lighter brown (sometimes, nearly white) breast and belly. They have a short black tail and black legs with black webbed feet.
Canada Geese cover a wide range across North America. Canada Geese in different areas may be different sizes, have different vocalizations or have somewhat different coloring than those in other areas. All groups have the characteristic long black neck, head, crown and bill and the white cheeks.
The smallest Canada Geese (called "cackling geese" because of their high-pitched vocalizations) are only 1/4 the size of the largest Canada Geese (called "honkers").
Description - female:
Same as the male.
Description - young:
Newly hatched Canada Geese look much like
ducklings with yellow and gray feathers and a dark bill. But within a week
they grow to be rather awkward-looking, fuzzy gray birds. By nine to ten weeks
old, they've grown their flight feathers and look like slightly smaller versions
of the adult.
Tracks:
The webbed feet of the Canada Goose are apparent when
looking at their tracks.
Used with permission. © Leanne Guenther
Feeding:
Canada Geese, like most waterfowl, eat aquatic vegetation,
grass, roots and young sprouts. They also eat grain and corn from agricultural
areas.
Used with permission. © Leanne Guenther
Used with permission. © Leanne Guenther
Habitat:
Canada Geese live around ponds, river and lake shores.
They've become quite a common sight in city parks -- some cities are having trouble
with overpopulation of the geese and, for this reason, are trying to discourage
people from feeding them in the overpopulated areas.
Nesting:
Canada Geese build their nest with grass and plant
material and line it with feather down. The geese typically nest on the
ground on islands and shorelines. However, they're very adaptable birds and
in urban settings nest where ever it seems safe to them -- even on the edge of the
runway at the airport or on the edge of the water traps on the golf course!
The female lays her eggs as soon as there is open water for mating and snow-free nest sites.
The female typically lays a clutch of 5 to 7 white eggs (though the number can range anywhere from 2 to 12) while the male guards the nesting area. Laying the eggs is not a simple task. Each egg takes a little over a day to lay.
I can tell you from personal experience that if you accidentally wander into a nesting male's territory while looking for a good spot to lie your picnic blanket down, he'll come after you hissing with wings spread -- they look a lot bigger and move a fair bit faster when they're upset about something *grin*.
Photographer: Bates Littlehales
The eggs typically take about a month to incubate. The process is faster the farther north the geese nest since the summers are shorter.
The baby geese peck at their shells with the 'egg tooth' found at the end of their bill. It takes 1 to 2 days for them to free themselves from the egg.
The newly hatched babies (called 'goslings') are able to swim immediately. The male and female goose both accompany the babies during their swims.
Goslings can dive and swim for 30-40 feet underwater and they eat almost continuously to attain growth for the first migration flight.
Arctic Fox
The main enemy of the Canada Goose is people. In an attempt to control rising populations some areas have begun egg collection and/or hunting efforts to decrease the number of geese in their area.
Natural enemies include the Arctic fox, gulls, Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, Snowy Owls, and Prairie Falcons.
Migration:
After the babies (called 'goslings')
have hatched, the family moves away from the nesting site on foot toward more favorable
feeding areas. Five weeks after the goslings hatch, the females begin
moulting (the males begin
right after mating). During this time, the adults are unable to fly.
The adults regrow their flight feathers and are ready to fly at about the same time
as the goslings are able to learn - at nine weeks old.
In autumn, as soon as the young are strong enough for the trip, they begin their migration south. They learn the migration routes from their parents and follow the same route in subsequent years.
Although an increasing number of Canada Geese are choosing to winter in Canada, especially in urban areas, the majority fly south to the United States and even Mexico.
Worksheets and Other Activities:
- Canada Goose Coloring Page (from coloring.ws)
- Canada Goose Coloring Page (with information)
- Canada Goose Coloring Page with Labels (with information)
- Canada Goose On-Line Jigsaw Puzzle
- "What I've learned about the Canada Goose" Coloring Worksheet
- Help the Canada Goose find the pond Maze
- How many words can you make from CANADA GOOSE
Word Worksheet
- Canada Goose Craft - make a Canada Goose from hearts