Wild Bird Wednesday 708 - Canada Goose

The Canada Goose (Branta canadensis), sometimes referred to as the Canadian Goose is a large goose with a black head and neck, white cheeks, white under its chin, and a brown body. 

It is native to the Arctic and temperate regions of North America. It has been introduced widely around the world and can now be found in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Scandinavia, New Zealand, Japan, Chile, Argentina, and the Falkland Islands.  

The species seems to be well suited to living in human-altered areas, and has established breeding colonies in urban and cultivated habitats, which provide food and few natural predators. The success of this common park species has led to it often being considered a pest species in many regions where it has been introduced. 

Thankfully these are legitimate Canadian Canada Geese and not some sort of introduced blow in!

Interestingly, a small 'version' of this goose which was once considered a sub-species of the Canada Goose has recently be elevated to full species level; it is called the Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii) and it can be separated from the Canada Goose by its smaller size (!), its shorter neck and smaller beak. 

By the time this post publishes I will have just started a new adventure that will keep me away from home for a couple of weeks: it should include many species of new birds and possibly even tigers!  More details to come.

As ever, to join in with WBW click the link below.  Cheers  SM

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter