Ducks, geese, and swans · Waterfowl
Canada Goose
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Branta canadensis
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Voice
Call
Call
Call
How to recognize it
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75–110 cm long; large, with a long neck
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Black head and neck; white cheek patches meet beneath the chin
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Brown body; white lower belly and undertail
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In flight, deep honking, "a-honk", audible from far away
About the species
Around ponds and park lawns, the Canada Goose has a brown body beneath a black head and long neck. Broad white patches on its cheeks meet under the chin, making a clear band against the dark plumage. White under the tail and a paler belly show when it turns or steps onto the bank.
Flocks often announce themselves overhead with a deep, two-part “a-honk,” flying in a V. On land, they grip grass with the bill and pull it free with a sharp jerk of the head. When guarding a nest or young, an adult may spread its wings, hiss, and charge.
Look for them beside lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes, and other open water, including in city parks. They eat grass, grain, and aquatic plants, and may also take small insects or fish. Many migrate between breeding and wintering areas, but some urban populations stay year-round where food and water are plentiful.
Where to find
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On broad lawns in city parks, look for Canada geese grazing on grass in open areas.
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By park ponds and other urban waters, watch them sweep their bills along the bottom for aquatic plants.
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Near garbage bins in built-up areas, you may spot them picking out food.
