Canada Goose
The Canada Goose belongs to the Branta genus of geese which contains species with largely black plumage distinguishing it from the grey species of the genus Anser.
The black head and neck with a white "chinstrap" distinguish the Canada Goose from all other goose species with the exception of the Cackling Goose from north America and the Barnacle Goose which has a black breast and grey rather than brownish body plumage. The 7 sub-species of the Canada Goose vary widely in size and plumage details but all are recognizable as Canada Geese.
Of the "true geese" (i.e. the genera Anser, Branta or Chen), the Canada Goose is on average the largest living species. It ranges from 30 to 43 inches in length and with a 50 to 73 inches wingspan. The male usually weighs 5.7 to 14.3 pounds, averaging amongst all sub-species 8.6 pounds. The female looks virtually identical but is slightly lighter at 5.3 to 12.1 pounds, averaging amongst all sub-species 7.9 pounds. It is also generally 10% smaller in linear dimensions than the male.
The Canada Goose is native to north America where it breeds in Canada and the north USA in a wide range of habitats. The Great Lakes region maintains a very large population. It occurs all year round in the southern part of its breeding range, including most of the eastern seaboard and the Pacific coast. Between California and South Carolina in the south USA and north Mexico, it is primarily present as a migrant from further north during the winter.
Outside north America, the Canada Goose has reached north Europe naturally as has been proved by ringing recoveries. It has also been introduced in to Europe and had established populations in the UK in the middle of the 18th century, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany and Scandinavia. Most European populations are not migratory but those in more northerly parts of Sweden and Finland migrate to the North Sea and Baltic coasts. Semi-tame feral birds are common in parks and have become a pest in some areas. In the early 17th century, explorer Samuel de Champlain sent several pairs of Canada Geese to France as a present for King Louis XIII. Canada Geese were first introduced in to the UK in the late 17th century as an addition to King James II's waterfowl collection in St. James's Park. They were also introduced in to Germany and Scandinavia during the 20th century.
During the second year of its life, the Canada Goose finds a mate. It is a monogamous species and most couples stay together all of their lives. If one dies, the other may find a new mate. The female lays from 2 to 9 eggs with an average of 5. Both parents protect the nest while the eggs incubate but the female spends more time at the nest than the male. The nest is usually located in an elevated area near water such as streams, lakes and ponds and the eggs are laid in a shallow depression lined with plant material and down.
The incubation period, in which the female incubates the eggs while the male remains nearby, lasts for 24 to 28 days after laying. As soon as the goslings hatch, they are immediately capable of walking, swimming and finding their own food (a diet similar to the adults). Parents are often seen leading their goslings in a line, usually with one adult at the front and the other at the back. While protecting their goslings, parents often violently chase away anything from small birds to lone humans who approach, after warning them by giving off a hissing sound and then attacking with bites and slaps of the wings if the threat does not retreat. Although parents are hostile to unfamiliar geese, they may form groups (crèches) of a number of goslings and a few adults. The goslings enter the fledgling stage any time from 6 to 9 weeks of age.
Once it reaches adulthood, due to its large size and often aggressive behaviour, the Canada Goose is rarely preyed on although prior injury may make it more vulnerable to natural predators. The lifespan in the wild of birds that survive to adulthood ranges from 10 to 24 years. The UK longevity record is held by a specimen tagged as a nestling which was observed alive at the age of 31.
The Canada Goose is primarily a herbivore although it will sometimes eat small insects and fish. Their diet includes grasses, aquatic plants, beans and grains such as wheat, rice, and corn when they are available. In urban areas, it is also known to pick food out of rubbish bins and it will readily take a variety of food from humans in parks.
Date: 5th April 2020
Location: Gloucester Park, Basildon, Essex
The black head and neck with a white "chinstrap" distinguish the Canada Goose from all other goose species with the exception of the Cackling Goose from north America and the Barnacle Goose which has a black breast and grey rather than brownish body plumage. The 7 sub-species of the Canada Goose vary widely in size and plumage details but all are recognizable as Canada Geese.
Of the "true geese" (i.e. the genera Anser, Branta or Chen), the Canada Goose is on average the largest living species. It ranges from 30 to 43 inches in length and with a 50 to 73 inches wingspan. The male usually weighs 5.7 to 14.3 pounds, averaging amongst all sub-species 8.6 pounds. The female looks virtually identical but is slightly lighter at 5.3 to 12.1 pounds, averaging amongst all sub-species 7.9 pounds. It is also generally 10% smaller in linear dimensions than the male.
The Canada Goose is native to north America where it breeds in Canada and the north USA in a wide range of habitats. The Great Lakes region maintains a very large population. It occurs all year round in the southern part of its breeding range, including most of the eastern seaboard and the Pacific coast. Between California and South Carolina in the south USA and north Mexico, it is primarily present as a migrant from further north during the winter.
Outside north America, the Canada Goose has reached north Europe naturally as has been proved by ringing recoveries. It has also been introduced in to Europe and had established populations in the UK in the middle of the 18th century, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany and Scandinavia. Most European populations are not migratory but those in more northerly parts of Sweden and Finland migrate to the North Sea and Baltic coasts. Semi-tame feral birds are common in parks and have become a pest in some areas. In the early 17th century, explorer Samuel de Champlain sent several pairs of Canada Geese to France as a present for King Louis XIII. Canada Geese were first introduced in to the UK in the late 17th century as an addition to King James II's waterfowl collection in St. James's Park. They were also introduced in to Germany and Scandinavia during the 20th century.
During the second year of its life, the Canada Goose finds a mate. It is a monogamous species and most couples stay together all of their lives. If one dies, the other may find a new mate. The female lays from 2 to 9 eggs with an average of 5. Both parents protect the nest while the eggs incubate but the female spends more time at the nest than the male. The nest is usually located in an elevated area near water such as streams, lakes and ponds and the eggs are laid in a shallow depression lined with plant material and down.
The incubation period, in which the female incubates the eggs while the male remains nearby, lasts for 24 to 28 days after laying. As soon as the goslings hatch, they are immediately capable of walking, swimming and finding their own food (a diet similar to the adults). Parents are often seen leading their goslings in a line, usually with one adult at the front and the other at the back. While protecting their goslings, parents often violently chase away anything from small birds to lone humans who approach, after warning them by giving off a hissing sound and then attacking with bites and slaps of the wings if the threat does not retreat. Although parents are hostile to unfamiliar geese, they may form groups (crèches) of a number of goslings and a few adults. The goslings enter the fledgling stage any time from 6 to 9 weeks of age.
Once it reaches adulthood, due to its large size and often aggressive behaviour, the Canada Goose is rarely preyed on although prior injury may make it more vulnerable to natural predators. The lifespan in the wild of birds that survive to adulthood ranges from 10 to 24 years. The UK longevity record is held by a specimen tagged as a nestling which was observed alive at the age of 31.
The Canada Goose is primarily a herbivore although it will sometimes eat small insects and fish. Their diet includes grasses, aquatic plants, beans and grains such as wheat, rice, and corn when they are available. In urban areas, it is also known to pick food out of rubbish bins and it will readily take a variety of food from humans in parks.
Date: 5th April 2020
Location: Gloucester Park, Basildon, Essex
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Also in: Black geese
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