The most familiar goose in North America — and the species whose recovery from near-extinction in the early 1900s was such a success that they're now a "problem" in many urban parks.

Also called: Canada, Canadian Goose

Native status: Native; widespread; locally overabundant

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 76–110 cm (30–43 in); wingspan 1.3–1.8 m
Weight3–6.5 kg (6.6–14 lb)
LifespanWild typically 10–24 years; oldest documented 33
OrderAnseriformes
FamilyAnatidae

§ Encyclopedia

The Canada goose is a large species of goose with a black head and neck, white cheeks, white under its chin, and a brown body. It is native to the arctic and temperate regions of North America, and it is occasionally found during migration across the Atlantic in northern Europe. It has been introduced to France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Scandinavia, New Zealand, Japan, Chile, Argentina, and the Falkland Islands. Like most geese, the Canada goose is primarily herbivorous and normally migratory; often found on or close to fresh water, the Canada goose is also common in brackish marshes, estuaries, and lagoons.

Source: Wikipedia — Canada goose Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Large goose with black head and neck, white chinstrap, brown body, white undertail. Multiple subspecies vary in size from tiny "cackling" types (now split as separate species) to giant 6+ kg individuals.

Similar species. Cackling Goose (split 2004; smaller, shorter neck). Brant (smaller, dark belly). Greater White-fronted Goose (white face, no chinstrap).

Voice. Classic loud honking "uh-WHONK" of migrating V-formations.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Grasses, sedges, grain, aquatic plants. Adapted easily to lawn turf — partly why suburban populations have exploded.

Behavior. Pairs mate for life; both parents protect goslings, forming "creche" with other families. Once nearly extirpated from southern US by overhunting (1900s); intentional reintroductions of "giant" subspecies (B. c. maxima) plus nutrient-rich suburban habitats created the modern overabundance problem. Some populations no longer migrate, becoming nuisance "resident" geese.

§ Range

Throughout North America; some populations sedentary, others migratory

§ Habitat

Lakes, ponds, parks, golf courses, agricultural fields

§ Threats

Generally well-recovered, but lead poisoning from spent shot remains a concern in hunting areas.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the canada goose is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Use non-lead ammunition. Don't feed geese (it causes nutritional and behavioral problems). Maintain natural shoreline buffers (geese prefer mowed lawns).

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Ducks Unlimited
  • Cornell Lab — All About Birds
  • USDA Wildlife Services
  • IUCN Red List 2018