Canada Goose

Also known as

Bay goose, big gray goose, black-headed goose, calling goose, Canada brant, common wild goose, cravat goose, honker, long-necked goose, reef goose, wild goose.

What is the scientific name? Branta canadensis

• Pronounced BRAN-tah can-ah-DEN-sis
• What does it mean? "Burnt Canadian" Branta is a New Latin word derived from the Anglo-Saxon bernan or brennan which means "to burn." This refers to the Canada goose's generally dark color. Canadensis is the Latinized term for Canada, in reference to their main summer range.

Where are they located? How many subspecies are there?

There is a difference of opinion as to the number of subspecies that exist and there are too many to list here. One source describes eight (Palmer 1976a), another nine (Madge and Burn 1988), and yet another twelve (Delacour and Mayr 1945). Another source states support for dividing the Canada goose into four entirely separate species (Madge and Burn 1988). Canada geese are found all over the United States, ranging from the Atlantic to Pacific Coast and from Mexico north to the Arctic Coast of Canada. In the Rogue Valley we have a resident, year-round population of the western or great basin Canada goose (B. c. moffitti). Wintering flocks often found in southern Oregon include the lesser Canada goose (B.c. parvipes) and the smallest of all Canada geese, the cackling Canada goose (B.c. minima) (Wolfer 1992). Other subspecies found in North America include the giant Canada goose (B.c. maxima) and the dusky Canada goose (B.c. occidentalis) (Belrose 1978).

Where do they live?

Varies over the subspecies ranges and through the different seasons. Canada geese usually nest in remote areas away from disturbances. They can be found around marshes, meadows, tundra, open fields, dry inland valleys, shores, ponds, and lakes (Palmer 1976a).

What do they look like?

The head and neck are black, contrasting with white patches on the cheeks. The overall body is dark gray with whitish undersides.

How big are they?

This varies among subspecies. B.c. maxima has a length up to 48 inches while B.c. minima is between 22 and 27 inches, about the size of a mallard (Belrose 1978) B.c. maxima has a wingspread up to 75 inches and B.c. minima has a wingspread between 13 and 15 inches (Gabrielson and Jewett 1940). B.c. maxima males average 12½ pounds; females 11 pounds. B.c. minima males average 3½ pounds; females average 2½ pounds (Belrose 1978).

How long do they live?

Uncertain. Two of the oldest known wild Canada geese were 24 years, 4 months (Klimkiewicz and Futcher 1989) and 23 years, 6 months (Clapp et al 1982), respectively. (See "Interesting notes" below for ages of captive Canadian geese.)

How fast can they fly?

Between 40 and 55 miles per hour (Rathbun 1934).

What do they eat?

Varies according to subspecies and habitat but mostly roots and leaves from such plants as marsh grasses, wild rice, and other aquatic vegetation. They will often stop in grain fields to eat wheat, corn, barley, and oats. Canada geese also eat small fish and crustaceans (Belrose 1978).

Interesting notes: This is the most widely distributed and well known of all waterfowl (Bent 1925). Canada geese mate for life but will take a new partner if the mate dies (Palmer 1976a), at least most of the time. One captive pair were known to have been together for 42 years, but when the male was accidentally killed the female died a few months later (McAtee 1924).

Often while the flock is feeding individuals will take turns acting as sentinels, warning the others of impending danger (Bent 1925). When a predator is spotted the "sentry" will alert the rest of the flock.

Migrating ducks and geese are often seen flying in V-formations and Canada geese are well known for this. The exact reason for this behavior is still being debated. One theory states that the bird flying in front creates updrafts of air that give the bird behind it a boost, thus requiring less energy for the rear bird to fly. Some scientists have estimated that a group of 25 birds could fly 70 percent farther when flying in formation than flying alone (Lissamon and Schollenberger 1970).

Another study of migrating Canada geese, however, showed that the distances between the birds in flight are longer than would be required to take advantage of such a mechanism (Gould and Heppner 1974). In fact, this same study showed that the V-formation was used less than 25% of the time. Other formations such as a column or cluster were used more often. These researchers suggested that other, nonaerodynamic, reasons must be the cause of flying in formation, such as the ability for the flock to communicate and see one another. Another more recent study suggests it is a mixture of both aerodynamic benefits and communication (Badgerow 1988).

[Taken from Jim Rible]
Copyright 1995, by Jim Rible

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