Summary ⁷

The Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) is a goose with a black head and neck, white patches on the face, and a brownish-gray body. Native to arctic and temperate regions of North America, it also occasionally migrates to northern Europe, and has been introduced to Britain, New Zealand, and other temperate regions.

Biology ⁸

This goose feeds on aquatic vegetation and grasses. It has become an agricultural pest in some areas where it moves from water bodies to fields in order to feed (3). Although often aggressive, this goose is gregarious, occurring in flocks during winter and breeding colonially on larger water bodies (5). The nest, a down-lined scrape, is typically situated among vegetation (5). During early April between 5 and 6 (up to 11) white eggs are laid. The female incubates the eggs for 28-30 days, while the male guards the nest close-by (5). Both sexes care for the young, which fledge after around 9 weeks, and stay with the parents throughout the winter (5).

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Diane, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), http://www.flickr.com/photos/70216525@N00/2522129603
2. Wikimedia Commons, no known copyright restrictions (public domain), https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/Branta_canadensis1.jpg/460px-Branta_canadensis1.jpg
3. (c) Wikimedia Commons, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/Canada-Goose-Szmurlo.jpg/460px-Canada-Goose-Szmurlo.jpg
4. (c) DickDaniels (http://carolinabirds.org/), some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/Canada_Goose_Cape_May_RWD.jpg
5. (c) Daniel Mayer, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/Geese_in_Elk_Refuge_overlook_area.JPG/460px-Geese_in_Elk_Refuge_overlook_area.JPG
6. (c) Wikimedia Commons, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/03/Canada_Goose_mating_ritual2.jpg/460px-Canada_Goose_mating_ritual2.jpg
7. (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branta_canadensis
8. (c) Wildscreen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/6681049

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• Animal Diversity Web
• Atlas of Living Australia
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• CalPhotos
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• Maryland Biodiversity Project
• NatureServe Explorer 2.0
• NBN Atlas
• VertNet
• Xeno-canto
• 日本のレッドデータ検索システム

Range Map

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