Canada goose (Branta canadensis)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 16-25 inches Wingspan: 50-68 inches

• Sexes similar

• Large long-necked goose

• Black bill

• Black head and neck

• White throat patch extends up to cheek

• Brown back, upper wing and flanks

• Brownish-white breast and belly

• White upper tail coverts contrast with black tail

• White undertail coverts

• Great size variation, with some northern subspecies duck-sized

• Immature similar to adult

Similar species:

Similar only to brant, which has a black breast, white flanks and a small
white neck patch rather than a large white throat and cheek patch.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: N/A
Breeding Habitat: Wetland-open water
Nest Location: N/A
Nest Type: N/A
Clutch Size: 4-10
Length of Incubation: 25-30 days
Days to Fledge: 40-73
Number of Broods: 1
Diet: Almost exclusively plant matter; lesser quantities of aquatic
   invertebrates.

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May C
      Su - Summer: June, July, August C
      Fall: September, October, November C

      Winter: December, January, February C

 

 

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