Cursory Information About North American Geese

By Robert Ford


Branta Canadensis is the scientific name given to the Canada Goose and the genus name for this species is Branta because of the black plumage that differentiates it from other goose species. In 1772, people gave the Branta Canadensis goose species the name Canada Goose and the name sticks till now.

The Branta Canadensis is also split into at least seven different subspecies which generally resemble each other; however, the size between the birds differs greatly. It can be confusing at times to identify members of the Branta Canadensis as the smaller subspecies are difficult to distinguish from the cackling goose.

You can identify the Branta Canadensis as it has black head and neck and some white patches on the face. This goose also has a plumage that is darker and appears grey or brownish. The population of Canada Goose is growing or stable because the birds are rarely hunted once they become adults. The main diet of these geese includes various kinds of grains and grasses as well as plants that grow in the water like seaweeds. Therefore, these birds mostly are herbivorous even though they consume insects or rare fish sometimes.

The Branta Canadensis is a highly social species that spend their lives in a family setting. In the second year of life the Canada Goose finds a mate, which they will stay with throughout their lives. Canada Geese work together to defend their nests and their goslings throughout the incubation period and into the early years of the goslings live.

The location of the nests is usually in an elevated area close to water. The number of eggs that a female goose lays ranges between three and eight. Because the geese usually lose the feathers they use to fly in the incubation period, they do not fly at all. After hatching of goslings takes place, the parents still defend their young and it is a common thing to find one of the parents leading and the other following their young after placing them in a line.

The origin of the Branta Canadensis species is in the temperate and arctic areas of North America. However, you can now find this species in other areas such as Eastern Siberia, Northern Europe, Eastern China and Japan. People have also introduced the Canada Goose to other areas in the world and New Zealand is an example.

The main areas where you can find these geese are near water bodies including lakes, rivers, streams and marshes and this species usually likes this natural habitat. Nevertheless, you will find the species living in cities because of the developments made by humans. You will find very many geese of this species living in towns such that people consider them to be pests sometimes. Due to the interference of humans, you can find certain flocks of geese living permanently especially in golf courses or close to them.

The Canada Geese that do not establish permanent residences migrate every fall and spring. In the migration period the Branta Canadensis usually has established rest stops to alleviate the burden of travel.

During migration, you will find that Canada Geese fly in a flock forming a letter V appearance in order that the burden of flying is not great. In this V formation, the goose leading changes position to reduce strain. The birds take part in migratory activities during the fall and spring seasons. However, they do not spend as much time in their winter homes as they do in their summer homes.




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