Pertinent Facts About Branta Canadensis Canada Goose

Branta Canadensis is the scientific name given to the Canada Goose and the genus name for this species is Branta because of the black plumage that differentiates it from other goose species. In 1772, people gave the Branta Canadensis goose species the name Canada Goose and the name sticks till now.

The Branta Canadensis species also has at least seven different types of subspecies that are generally similar but the birds differ in size to a large extent. It is sometimes confusing for people to distinguish between the geese of the Branta Canadensis species, which are a smaller subspecies and the goose that cackles.

You can identify the Branta Canadensis because it has black head and neck and some white patches on the face. This goose also has a plumage which is darker and appears grey or brownish. The population of Canada Goose is growing or stable for the reason that the birds are not hunted once they become adults. The main diet of these geese consists of many types of grains and grasses as well as plants that grow in the water like seaweeds. Therefore, these birds are mainly herbivorous even though they consume insects or rare fish sometimes.

The Canada Goose is definitely a social bird that lives together in families. The geese of the Branta Canadensis species commonly find a mate when they become two years old and they remain as mates for the rest of their lives. When it comes to defending their nests and goslings, they do it together all through the period of incubation and in the years of the early lives of their goslings.

The location of the nests is usually in an elevated area close to water. The number of eggs that a female goose lays ranges between three and eight. Because the geese usually lose the feathers they use to fly in the incubation period, they do not fly at all. After hatching of goslings happens, the parents still defend their young and it is a common thing to find one of the parents leading and the other following their young after placing them in a line.

The Branta Canadensis is indigenous to the arctic and temperate regions of North America. The species, however, has naturally found its way to Northern Europe, as well as Eastern Siberia, Japan and Eastern China. The Canada Goose has additionally been introduced by humans to other regions around the globe such as New Zealand.

The geese commonly are found near water including streams, lakes, rivers, and marshes. The Canada Goose prefers this natural habitat, however, human development has led the species to reside in urban areas. The population has grown in these urban areas so much that the species is seen as a pest sometimes. Human interference with the Canada Goose has also led to some flocks establishing a permanent residence, particularly in or around golf courses.

The Canada Geese which do not establish permanent residences migrate every fall and spring. In the migration period the Branta Canadensis usually has established rest stops to ease the burden of travel.

When migrating, the Canada Goose flies in a flock that appears like a V to reduce the burden the that it has to bear. The goose that leads in the V formation changes its position for that is the most tiring position. Canada Geese migrate in the seasons of fall and spring but they stay for a shorter time in their winter grounds when compared with their homes in the summer.


Canada goose eggs are usually a creamy white color. Follow the link for further Canadian goose information.

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