The Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

The Canada Goose is a natural North American species breeding widespread across North America and Greenland. Birds released in Europe lead to well-established feral (=wild) populations in at least 10 European countries. In Europe there are populations in Norway, Fennoscandia, Great Britain, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany and Denmark. Only few breeding areas exist in Italy, Austria, Poland and the Baltics.

Voice: The Canada Goose is an extremely noisy bird. In flight it sounds a high-pitched "kow" and "wonk" and also an abrupt and harsh "kaank"; also a deep "zung-ung-ung" conversational gabble.

Habitat: Similar to the grey geese. Breeds colonially on open Tundra and lake islands. The Canada Goose is associated with freshwater and coats but also appears urban areas.

canada goose branta canadensis bird feeding green grass — Canada Goose feeding on green grass

canada goose branta canadensis bird green grass chicken — Adult Canada Geese with chicken

canada goose branta canadensis birds water chicken — Canada Geese with chicken in a lake

canada goose branta canadensis chicken green grass — Canada Goose Chicken in grass

canada goose branta canadensis birds green grass — Canada Geese - looking after the offspring

canada goose swimming on water — A couple of Canada Geese swimming on a pond

References - Further Reading

Bauer, Hans-Günther, Bezzel, Einhard et. al. (HG), Kompendium der Vögel Mitteleuropas, Band 1, Sonderausgabe 2012, Aula Verlag, Wiebelsheim

Bauer, Hans-Günther, Bezzel, Einhard et. al. (HG), Kompendium der Vögel Mitteleuropas, Band 3, Literatur und Anhang, Aula Verlag Wiebelsheim, 2. vollständig überarbeitete Auflage 1993

Bezzel, Einhard, Kompendium der Vögel Mitteleuropas, Non-Passeriformes, Band 1, Aula Verlag Wiesbaden, 1985

Bruun/Singer/König, Der Kosmos Vogelführer, Franck'sche Verlagshandlung Stuttgart, 5. Auflage 1982

Glutz von Blotzheim, Urs et. al (HG), Handbuch der Vögel Mitteleuropas, Band 2, Anseriformes (1. Teil), Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft, Wiesbaden, 1979, Nachdruck der Auflage von 1968

Svenson, Lars et. al, Der Kosmos Vogelführer, Franck-Kosmos Verlag GmbH & Co. KG, Stuttgart, 2. Auflage 2011

Svenson, Lars, Mullarney, Killian et al, Collins Bird Guide: The Most Complete Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europa, HarperCollins Glasgow, Second Edition 2010

Uspenski, S.M. Dr. habil, Die Wildgänse Nordeurasiens, Die Neue Brehm Bücherei, Band 352, A. Ziemsen Verlag Wittenberg Lutherstadt, 1965

Bundesamt für Naturschutz: Nationaler Vogelschutzbericht 2019 gemäß Artikel 12 Vogelschutzrichtlinie, Berichtsdaten aus dem Abschnitt O...Roh Wintergäste (pdf download)