Branta canadensis
The iconic Canada Goose, *Branta canadensis*, is a large and widespread waterfowl species instantly recognizable by its distinctive black head and neck, accented by a bold white "chinstrap" patch that extends from behind the eye to beneath the throat. Ranging in size from 75 to 110 cm (30-43 inches) in length with a wingspan of 127-185 cm (50-73 inches) and weighing 2.6-6.5 kg (5.7-14 lbs), its overall plumage is typically brown with a paler, often greyish-white breast and belly. This species...
Highly adaptable, Canada Geese primarily inhabit open wetlands, including lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes, and coastal estuaries, often utilizing adjacent grassy fields, agricultural lands, or urban parks. They are found from sea level up to moderate elevations in mountainous regions, always near w...
Canada Geese are primarily herbivorous, grazing on a diverse range of plant matter including grasses, sedges, clover, various agricultural crops (corn, wheat, rice), and aquatic plants. They occasionally supplement their diet with small insects or berries, especially during the breeding season.
Canada Geese are diurnal, spending their days foraging in open areas and returning to water bodies for safe nocturnal roosting, especially during migration and winter. They are primarily grazers, methodically cropping grass blades and plant shoots, often dabbling in shallow water for submerged ve...
The Canada Goose boasts an extensive range across North America, breeding from the Arctic tundra of Alaska and Canada south through much of the northern and central United States. Their wintering grounds extend across the southern United States, including the Gulf Coast, and into northern Mexico,...
Least Concern
- The Canada Goose is comprised of many subspecies, with the largest, the "Giant Canada Goose" (*Branta canadensis maxima*), once thought extinct, now thriving across central North America. - They are one of the fastest waterfowl, capable of reaching flight speeds of up to 70 miles per hour (112 ...