Description One of the most common wild goose in North America with 11 sub-species that vary in appearance. It can weigh up to 24 pounds and can grow up to 25 inches tall. A black bill, head and neck with a white band expanding from its throat to cheek often referred to as the "chin strap". It has a brownish-white breast, and belly with a brownish–gray back, upper wings and flanks. Newly hatched Canada goslings look much like ducklings with yellow-gray feathers and a dark bill, but within a weeks time the goslings look like awkward-looking, fuzzy gray birds. At nine-ten weeks old they’ve grown their flight feathers and look like smaller versions of the adult.

Lifecycle They are mates for life otherwise known as a pair bond. In autumn they make a nest of twigs, grass, reeds, and sand and line it with feathers that are plucked by the hen. Sticks are then pulled over the nest to keep the eggs warm and to act as a camouflauge. The nest is usually located in an elevated area near water. The female lays four to ten eggs that are pale green, yellowish, or buff white. After hatching chicks learn to fly when they are forty to seventy days old.

Habitat A winter visitor the Canada Goose is usually spotted in and around wetlands. Otherwise they are found in the southern parts of Canada to the artic tundra. In urbanized areas they are seen on golf courses and ponds as well as housing developments that have a pond or large water features. They prefer grassy and water areas. Commonly seen flying in a “V” formation wing tip to wing tip to cut the turbulence. They honk greetings and signals to each other and switch leaders when the head goose needs to rest or switch out.

Diet Geese feed on marsh grasses, wheat, aquatic plants, small aquatic animals, other grains, grasshoppers, or other insects. They have very sensitive bills for feeling around underwater for food. Small spiked teeth act as strainers just like baleen on a whale. The goose will grab a mouthful of mud, and then squeezes the fish out of the mud. Canada geese can spend up to twelve hours per day eating.