Canada Goose

Overview

Canada Goose: Large, long-necked goose with dark upperparts and paler underparts grading to white on vent. The head and neck are black with white chin bar. Body is usually gray-brown, although varies from dark brown to gray in different races. White semi-circle above black tail is visible in flight.

Range and Habitat

Canada Goose: Breeds from Alaska east to Baffin Island and south to California, Illinois, and Massachusetts. Spends winters south to northern Mexico and the Gulf coast.; also a widespread resident in city parks and on reservoirs. Preferred habitats include lakes, bays, rivers, marshes, and stubble fields.

INTERESTING FACTS

At least 11 subspecies of Canada Goose have been recognized and as of 2004 some of the smaller subspecies were designated their own species—the Cackling Goose. Researchers have identified about 13 different calls from Canada Geese. These vary including loud greeting/alarm calls and soft sounds from feeding geese. While their eggs are incubating females lose their flight feathers, so they cannot fly until after their eggs hatch. A group of geese has many collective nouns, including a "blizzard", "chevron", "knot", "plump", and "string" of geese.