Fun Canada Goose Facts For Kids
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The honker, as the Canada goose is also called due to the noise it makes while flying, is seen quite a few times in the skies of Canada while they migrate or go for breeding to different places.
As they fly in their characteristic V formation while they migrate during the winter, they universally signify signs of changing seasons. Once considered a symbol of wilderness, this winter migratory bird has adapted well to changing civilization, parks, ponds, and even golf courses!
Some may regard it as a nuisance, but you can definitely expect this behavior as we humans continue to manipulate the reigns of nature's forces.
There's more to this beautiful bird, so do scroll down, and before you leave, check out the Egyptian goose and ring-necked duck as well!
Canada Goose Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a Canada goose?
It is a brown-backed, light-breasted North American goose.
What class of animal does a Canada goose belong to?
These species of Canadian geese belong to class Aves.
How many Canada geese are there in the world?
The population of these North American birds worldwide has gone up from 180,000 in the '70s to around 600,000 birds today.
Where does a Canada goose live?
Canada goose can be spotted near all kinds of water across the continent of North America, from the Gulf coast to Tundra; these geese are widespread anywhere near water.
What is a Canada goose's habitat?
The habitat preference of the giant Canada goose includes places like rivers, grain fields, lakes, ponds, and fresh and saltwater marshes. Canada geese are also particularly drawn towards lawns mainly due to two reasons. First, the manicured lawns give them a good, unobstructed view of any approaching predators.
Second, these geese can easily digest grass too. Hence you would often find the Canada geese in parks, golf courses, and other areas with expensive lawns. Some of the population of Canada goose are also becoming residents in urban areas too.
Who do Canada geese live with?
These species of geese stay in couples most of the time, and if one dies, the other usually finds another mate or partner. They are also seen in flocks of V formation flying in the sky.
How long does a Canada goose live?
Canada geese have a lifespan in the range of 10-24 years.
How do they reproduce?
The breeding period of this bird starts in the second year of their lives. The female lays two to eight eggs, and both the parents protect the nest while the eggs incubate.
This incubation period lasts for 24-32 days after the laying of eggs. The nest of the Canada geese is located at an elevated area near water such as ponds, streams, and lakes.
It's the female, however, that spends more time at the nest than the male. The male geese defend the female during nesting and also keeps defending their nesting territory throughout the breeding period.
What is their conservation status?
The conservation status of Canada geese is currently listed as of Least Concern according to the IUCN.
Canada Goose Fun Facts
What do Canada Geese look like?
Canada geese have a black head with white cheeks, black neck, brown back, tan breast, and chinstrap. You will often find them dabbling in the water or grazing in large lawns and fields.
How cute are they?
Canada geese could be regarded as cute animals; with their white cheeks and chinstrap, they won't fail to make you smile.
How do they communicate?
These birds have around 13 different calls to communicate with their fellow birds. These calls range from greetings, warnings, contentment calls to even honking at times! The parents begin communicating with the young goslings while they are still in the egg.
How big is a Canada goose?
Canada geese have a length range of 29.52 in - 43.30 in (75-110cm) and a wingspan of 50 –73 in (127–185 cm). These North American birds are relatively smaller than a mute swan and larger than a mallard.
How fast can a Canada goose fly?
Canada geese have quite a speedy flight, with a speed of over 30 mph (48.2 kph). These species fly fast despite their heavyweight range.
Using their powerful wing beats, they keep flapping their wings in v formation rather than gliding like the other heavy birds such as vultures, pelicans, or eagles. All this flapping and flying for a heavy bird takes quite some amount of energy, and to keep up the spirit, the geese honk from behind to encourage those who are upfront.
The species of goose also are known as migratory birds as they fly and migrate towards the South in winter and North during summer, taking a few detours along with their migration.
How much does a Canada goose weigh?
These migratory birds typically weigh anywhere between 5-14 lb (2.2-6.3kg), with females weighing slightly smaller than males. In fact, were you aware that the Canada goose is the largest goose in the world, with one of its subspecies, the giant Canada goose having its weight over 20 lb (9.07 kg)! Isn't that some heavyweight?!
What are the male and female names of the species?
The male is called a gander, whereas the female bird is known as a goose.
What would you call a baby Canada goose?
A baby Canada goose is called a gosling. Did you know that these younger migratory birds are extremely multi-talented?
As soon as these goslings hatch, they are capable of swimming in open water, walking on places like golf courses, lawns and finding their own food. Parents are often seen leading their young goslings in a line, with both the parents guarding the line at front and back.
What do they eat?
The food requirements of both adult goose and their goslings are plant material all year round. Their diet includes a wide range of plants and eats stems, shoots of grasses, aquatic plants, sedges, and a range of berries and seeds.
They consume many cultivated grains as well. Occasionally you would also find their nest with food items like mollusks, insects, small fish, and crustaceans too.
Are they dangerous?
They are not dangerous. But the Canada goose (Branta canadensis) is a possessive bird that gets aggressive if it believes that its goslings are threatened.
Even if you don't see a nest, one may be near some urban areas. Don't get too close, or a Canada goose, Branta canadensis, may get offended and attack you in their defense. Although their attacks are not fatal to anyone, they may result in minor or no injuries, so it's better to be safe than sorry.
Would they make a good pet?
Canada geese are highly human-compatible animals if you treat them with inordinate gentleness. The only time they would appear non-friendly is if you trouble their nest or young ones during their nesting or breeding season. They are quite responsible and loving parents.
Did you know...
The Canada goose is not a predator and doesn't kill any animals.
The geese are known for their V formation flight, do observe them in the sky if you do get a chance!
Historically the Canada goose (Branta canadensis) population is known for their migration in winter as they head towards various other habitats. Their migration includes many stopovers before they actually settle on one spot.
Male vs. female Canada geese
If you are wondering how you would ever distinguish a male from a female, then here are few pointers. Firstly, the tail feathers on an adult male goose are more rounded in contrast to the female's pointed feathers.
The female's bill is tapered laterally and is more pointy than the male. Another differentiating aspect is the head and neck of the male geese, which is bigger and broader than the female geese.
Do Canada geese mate for life?
Yes, the Canada goose (Branta canadensis) are known to mate for life i.e., the pairs remain together in their habitat year-round. The geese mate and larger birds choose larger mates and smaller ones choose smaller mates. You would find that the male is larger than the female in a given pair.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other arthropods from our geoduck facts and wood duck facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Canada goose coloring pages.
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