Local introductions and reintroductions have made this large goose a familiar sight throughout North America. In terms of size and coloration variability, this species has few rivals, thus the number of recognized subspecies has been the subject of much debate. All forms share a black head and neck with distinctive white cheek patches. Some individuals show a white ring at the base of the neck. In comparison to smaller and formerly conspecific Cackling Geese, Canadas have longer, flatter-sloped bills. Most races have medium to dark earth-brown upperparts, breast color ranges from silvery gray (near white) to dark chocolate-brown, flanks are pale earth-brown, undertail areas and rump are white in contrast to dark tail feathers. Vancouver Canada Goose (B. c. fulva) has darker, barred underparts. Dusky Canada Goose (B. c. occidentalis) is chocolate brown overall, with very little contrast between the dark breast and the black neck. Lesser Canada Goose (B. c. parvipes) can be light-breasted or nearly as dark as Dusky Canada Goose. Lesser Canada Goose overlaps in size with Taverner’s Cackling Goose, but Lessers show a proportionally longer bill that often appears drooped at the tip, a more squared head shape, and longer thinner neck. Canada Geese have proportionally shorter wings than Cackling, so the wing tips generally do not extend beyond the tail.

Length: 64 (cm) Wingspan: 127 (cm)

Voice:

A loud honking.

Habitat:

Utilizes a wide range of habitats, including shallow wetlands, lakes, rivers, coastal marshes, urban parks, grasslands, agricultural fields.

Behavior:

Very aggressively defends nest and young against natural predators and human intruders.

Feeding:

Eats grasses, sedges, fruit, and grain.