This species is perhaps the most common and familiar of all North American geese. Living from the Pacific to the Atlantic coasts and from Mexico to the Arctic, there are 11 sub-species that vary greatly in size. They have a long black neck and head, white chin strap, brown-gray body, a white U-shaped rump band and pale under parts. Their bill, tail and feet are black, with the larger species having a loud and deep musical honk-honk.
The Canada goose likes to live in flocks near ponds, marshes, grasslands and open farm land. They are noisy, social and monogamous, flying in flocks during the day in a “V” formation along all four flyways in the United States.
The Canada goose is a grazer who feeds below the water surface and on land. Their diet includes roots, tubers, algae, cattails, small aquatic animals, seeds, grains, grass and crops.
They mate for life and pairs remain together throughout the year with each bird choosing a mate of appropriate size with the male being slightly larger.
