Canada Goose
Some Important Facts about Canada Goose:
Weight: 3–11 lbs.
Length: 22–44"
Wingspan: 4–6'
Sexual Maturity: 2–3 years
Breeding Season: March–July
Number of eggs: Usually 4–7
Incubation Period: 24–30 days
Fledging Period: 6–12 weeks
Breeding interval: 1 year
Typical diet: Grasses, grain and aquatic vegetation
Lifespan: Up to 23 years
The Canada goose belongs to genus Branta.It has blackish head and neck and has white colored patches on the face and brown body.It is mostly found on arctic and temperature regions of North america and sometimes also migrates to northern Europe.
Habitat:
Canada goose is an open-country bird and favors a variety of freshwater wetlands e.g. lakes and swamps.However in winter season it favors cultivated fields and coastal marshes.
Migration:
These birds are generally non-migratory although sometimes migrate locally. Bird migration is not a completely understood phenomena. It is still unknown that how birds find way to same place every year. Probably they use a variety of aids helping in navigation like landmarks, sun, stars and their built in sensitivity to earth's magnetic field that helps in determining direction.
Those living in far north travel the longest distances sometimes more than 3000 miles.while southerly species travel a hundred miles or some do not migrate at all.They when travel form a V-formation.
Feeding:
Canada Goose eat a variety of plant parts like seeds, leaves, roots, stems, fruits and rhizomes.Mostly feeds on land but also in water upending like a duck to reach juicy growths at the bottom.While grazing sentry birds keep the flock alert.They can also raid cereal crops, sometimes entire field is covered by the flock.Agricultural advancements in north lead to greater availability of foods, this can be the reason that why migration from the north is decreased as compared to previous decades.
Breeding:
Canada goose mate for life and selects its partner at wintering grounds.Courtship involves neck movements and honking duets. Even the established pairs also repeat this routine annually.Female builds nest and also incubates eggs.Male defends the nest until eggs are hatched.Then both parents protect their young ones whenever on the roam. The chick called gosling nibbles plants and eats insects until it is strong enough to feed properly.
Significance to Humans:
In north america non migratory species of Canada Goose are on the rise they have been found on golf courses, parks, and parking lots.They are suspected to be a cause of an increase in high fecal coliforms at beaches.They can also raid cereal crops.
They can also attack humans whenever they feel themselves or their chicks threatened.When goose attack, first the goose will stand erect and will produce a whistling sound and then attack by wing or may also bite.
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