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.

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).

After its introduction as an ornamental species, the Canada goose did not spread away from parks and stately homes until after the Second World War (3). It has since increased greatly in numbers, and its range has expanded throughout Britain (3), although it is not as common in Scotland and Wales (5). Its natural range occurs throughout Canada and northern USA. It has also been introduced to Ireland, Sweden, Finland and Norway (5).

Canada geese have good eyesight, which is necessary for flight. They must move their heads in order to see all the way around themselves. However, their eyes are close to their crowns on the side of their heads, enabling them to see more than 180 degrees (closer to 270 degrees) horizontally and vertically. They have mostly monocular vision. Canada geese have excellent hearing and the ears are located on the side of its head. Canada geese often use body movements to communicate with each other. These geese also have the ability to make at least 10 different calls

Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic