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Species
Branta canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758)
IUCN
NCBI
EOL Text
A chemical called methiocarb is being used on grass to prevent geese from grazing on it in some areas. Methiocarb makes the geese feel sick, but thus far has not resulted in any deaths. The toxic effects of this chemical are still being researched. Over 200 geese have been killed by the chemical parathion in Texas. Golden eagles and bald eagles have been seen eating the bodies of geese that have been killed by parathion which means it could potentially be very dangerous for them as well.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
Source | http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Branta_canadensis/ |
A chemical called methiocarb is being used on grass to prevent geese from grazing on it in some areas. Methiocarb makes the geese feel sick, but thus far has not resulted in any deaths. The toxic effects of this chemical are still being researched. Over 200 geese have been killed by the chemical parathion in Texas. Golden eagles and bald eagles have been seen eating the bodies of geese that have been killed by parathion which means it could potentially be very dangerous for them as well.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2012, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
Source | http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Branta_canadensis/ |
Global Range: (>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)) Breeds from central and southeastern Alaska east across northern Canada and southern Victoria Island to western Melville Peninsula, northeastern Manitoba, northern Ontario, northern Quebec, and southern Baffin Island (recently naturally established in western Greenland) south to southwestern British Columbia, northeastern California, northern Utah, south-central Wyoming, South Dakota, Kansas, northern Arkansas, western Kentucky, southern Ohio, Pennsylvania, northern Virginia, and Maryland. Breeding populations in the southern prairie states were extirpated, but many have become reestablished. Birds in eastern states south of Great Lakes and Massachusetts result from relatively recent natural southward extension of breeding range and to great extent from introductions. Feral populations resulting from introductions may occur almost anywhere in the United States (AOU 2004).
Winters from the southern part of the breeding range through most of the United States and into northern Mexico. Introduced and established in Great Britain, Iceland, southern Scandinavia, and New Zealand. Accidental in Hawaii, Greater Antilles, and the Bahamas.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | NatureServe |
Source | http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Branta+canadensis |
This goose feeds on aquatic vegetation and grasses. It has become an agricultural pest in some areas where it moves from water bodies to fields in order to feed (3). Although often aggressive, this goose is gregarious, occurring in flocks during winter and breeding colonially on larger water bodies (5). The nest, a down-lined scrape, is typically situated among vegetation (5). During early April between 5 and 6 (up to 11) white eggs are laid. The female incubates the eggs for 28-30 days, while the male guards the nest close-by (5). Both sexes care for the young, which fledge after around 9 weeks, and stay with the parents throughout the winter (5).
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright Wildscreen 2003-2008 |
Source | http://www.arkive.org/canada-goose/branta-canadensis/ |
The Canada goose was introduced to England around 300 years ago. It is now the most familiar goose in Britain (3). This large goose has a long black neck, and a black head with a prominent white patch, which forms a strap around the throat that extends onto the face (2). The body is brown, with paler underparts. The sexes are similar in appearance; juveniles can be identified as the throat-strap is brownish, and the head and neck are duller (2). This vocal goose produces a range of deep honking calls (2), a loud 'aa-honk' in flight and hissing sounds when threatened (5).
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright Wildscreen 2003-2008 |
Source | http://www.arkive.org/canada-goose/branta-canadensis/ |
Canada Geese are found throughout North America. There are four subspecies (or populations); each is found in a different area of North America. These subspecies are the southern, northern, western and Aleutian-Canadian populations. The southern population ranges from 60 degrees north latitude to the Rockies and Atlantic Ocean. The northern population ranges north of 60 degrees north latitude in the Arctic and Subarctic. Canada geese travel to the southern parts of the United States during the winter. The western population is found along the coasts of Alaska and British Columbia. The Aleutian-Canadian population is rarely found. A general trend in all subspecies is that they they spend summers in the northern parts of North America, especially Canada, and migrate south to areas of the United States in the winter months.
Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )
- Ogilvie, M. 1978. Wild Geese. Vermillion, SD: Buteo Books.
- Owen, M. 1980. Wild Geese of the World: Their Life History and Ecology. London: BT Batsford Ltd.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
Source | http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Branta_canadensis/ |
AL | AK | AZ | AR | CA | CO | CT | DE | FL | GA |
HI | ID | IL | IN | IA | KS | KY | LA | ME | MD |
MA | MI | MN | MS | MO | MT | NE | NV | NH | NJ |
NM | NY | NC | ND | OH | OK | OR | PA | RI | SC |
SD | TN | TX | UT | VT | VA | WA | WV | WI | WY |
AB | BC | MB | NB | NF | NT | NS | ON | PE | PQ |
SK | YT | MEXICO |
Depth range based on 886 specimens in 2 taxa.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 2 samples.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 0
Temperature range (°C): 5.940 - 13.008
Nitrate (umol/L): 2.446 - 3.533
Salinity (PPS): 30.572 - 33.176
Oxygen (ml/l): 6.169 - 7.377
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.377 - 0.659
Silicate (umol/l): 1.811 - 6.162
Graphical representation
Temperature range (°C): 5.940 - 13.008
Nitrate (umol/L): 2.446 - 3.533
Salinity (PPS): 30.572 - 33.176
Oxygen (ml/l): 6.169 - 7.377
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.377 - 0.659
Silicate (umol/l): 1.811 - 6.162
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.
License | http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Ocean Biogeographic Information System |
Source | http://www.iobis.org/mapper/?taxon_id=413094 |
Comments: May be active day or night during migration. Usually feeds in early morning and late afternoon.
Major Threats
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | © International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources |
Source | http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/22679935 |