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The
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis), colloquially Canadian
Goose in North America, belongs to the Branta genus of
geese, which contains species with largely black plumage,
distinguishing them from the grey Anser species. The species
name, canadensis, is a New Latin word meaning "of
Canada". The black head and neck with white "chinstrap"
distinguish this goose from all except the Barnacle Goose,
but the latter has a black breast and grey, rather than
brownish, body plumage. There are up to 12 subspecies
of this bird, of varying sizes and plumage details, but
all are recognizable as Canada Geese. The small races,
for example B. c. minima, are now considered in North
America to be a separate species, the Cackling Goose,
B. hutchinsonii. The large subspecies, such as the giant
Canada Goose, B. c. maxima remain as Canada Goose. This
well-known species is native to North America. It breeds
in Canada and the northern USA in a variety of habitats. |
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However,
the nest is usually located in an elevated area near water,
sometimes on a beaver lodge. The eggs are laid in a shallow
depression lined with plant material and down. Males,
8–14 pounds (3.5–6.5 kg), can be very aggressive
in defending territory. A pair may mate for life (around
20 years). The female looks virtually identical but is
slightly lighter (7–12 pounds, 3–5.5 kg),
and has a different honking. Like most geese it is naturally
migratory, the wintering range being most of the USA.
The calls overhead from large groups of Canada Geese flying
in V-shaped formation signal the transitions into spring
and fall. In some areas, migration routes have changed
due to changes in habitat and food sources. In mild climates,
such as the Pacific Northwest, due to a lack of former
predators, some of the population has become non-migratory |
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