Habits: The Canada goose is native to North America, where it breeds in temperatures zones up to the Arctic Circle. There are 10 to 12 distinct races, which vary greatly in size. Most are migratory, flying as far south as Mexico after they breed. Some migration routes have changed in recent decades. The Canada goose is quick to exploit new wildfowl refuses and feeding sites and will alter its route to take in these stopovers. The Canada goose is sociable. It feeds in groups and roosts in flocks of up o several hundred on open water. Family bonds are strong within the flocks, but there is hostility between geese before the breeding season, when new pairs are formed and territories established. Breeding usually takes place close to water.

In winter many birds takes shelter in fields and coastal plains that are within easy reach of water. The Canada goose has been introduced into New Zealand, Great Britain, Scandinavia, and Germany. It has adaptation easily to man made birds have spread to live on reservoirs. Most of these wild populations are non migratory, but those that breed in Sweden travel each fall to Germany.

Food & Feeding: The Canada goose feeds almost entirely on plants. It walks across marshes, grassland, and fields and lowers its long neck to graze. It also grazes in water by upending to pluck aquatic plants from under the surface. The bird's diet includes stems, leaves, roots, tubers, fruit, and seeds. In North America some of its common food plants are widgeon grass, eel grass, bulrush, sedge, and pond weed. The Canada goose also raids cultivated land and may damage crops. European birds feed mainly on grasses, aquatic plants, clover, grains, beans, and kale.

Bird watch: In the southern United States, the Canada goose is a familiar winter visitor. Farther north, where it is a migrant, wedge shaped flocks of flying geese are a harbinger of both spring and fall. But in recent decades the Canada goose has established itself as a year round resident in densely populated areas, even in city parks. Geese pair for life and are always found together, even outside the nesting season.

Breeding: the Canada goose mates for life. A young adult starts t o look for a mate when it is a year old, but stable pairs usually do not form until the second year. A male displays to a female with elaborate movements of his neck  and by nosily chasing other geese. If the female is unpaired and interested, she eventually joins his display, and they form a pair and mate. In North America nesting usually takes place in an open, remote site that is close to water. European birds often nest under bushes and trees in a site closer to human habitation, such as an island on a lake.

Each pair establishes a territory around its nest and defends it from other pairs until the young leave. The nest is a low pile of eaves, grass, and twigs., The same pair repairs and uses it year after year. The female carries out most of the nest buildings, lining the structure with her own loose down feathers. She alone incubates the five on six eggs for about four weeks, but both parents care for the young after they hatch. The chicks apidly learn to find food for themselves.

Did you know?
Large flocks of Canada geese have damaged reservoirs by compacting soil on the banks and depositing huge quantities of droppings.
Canada geese are among the most faithful of all birds. Some pairs have stayed together for more than 20 years. The record is 42 years. 
In breeding season, rival males sometimes fight, gasping bills and striking each other with their wings.
During mating, the females body may be completely submerged under the water.

Sizes: 
Length: Varies between subspecies from 2 to 3 1/2 ft
Wingspan: 4 to 6 ft
Weight: 6 to 9 lb

Breeding:
Sexual Maturity: 2 to 4 years
Breeding seasons: spring
Broods: 1
Eggs: 5 or 6. White or cream.
Incubation: About 4 weeks
Fledging Period: 6 to 7 weeks

Related Species: The closest relatives of the Canada goose are the barnacle goose, Branta leucopsis, and the brant, B. bernicla
Distribution: Found in Canada and the United States south of Mexico. Introduced into the British Isles, Scandinavia, Germany, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.
Conservation: The Canada goose benefits from the provision of article feeding sites and refuges from shooting. The population is expanding in parts of Europe.

Features of the Canada Goose: 
Eggs: White or cream, 5 or 6 in a clutch. Incubated by the female, they hatch after approximately a month.
Plumage: Gray brown body feathers with white underpants. Head and neck black with white "chin strap." Male and female alike. Marking similar for all races.
Necks: Long and flexible, for grazing at ground level. Streched horizontally in courtship display.
Nest: Low, loose pile of leaves, grass, and twigs. Usually located neat water and hidden in vegetation. Built mostly by female and lined with feathers.

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