Ducks and geese (Anatidae)

Canada Goose

Branta canadensis. Grasses, grain and aquatic plants.

Ducks and geese (Anatidae)Canada GooseBranta canadensis

Scientific name: Branta canadensis
Length: 29.9–43.3 in
Weight: 105.8–317.5 oz
Nest: Down-lined bowl on the ground near water
Entrance hole: Does not use nest boxes
Clutch: 2–8 eggs
Incubation: 25–28 days
Broods: 1 per season

Identification

Black head and neck with a white chinstrap
Brown body and pale breast
Flies in noisy V formations

Voice

The famous resonant 'honk'.

Diet and feeding

Grasses, grain and aquatic plants.

What do Canada geese eat? · Best feeder for Canada geese

Canada Gooses by state and province

Region	Status	Nesting
Alabama	Year-round resident	February–June
Alaska	Summer breeder	April–June
Alberta	Year-round resident	April–June
Arizona	Year-round resident	February–June
Arkansas	Year-round resident	March–June
British Columbia	Year-round resident	April–June
California	Year-round resident	February–June
Colorado	Year-round resident	March–June
Connecticut	Year-round resident	March–June
Delaware	Year-round resident	March–June
Florida	Year-round resident	February–June
Georgia	Year-round resident	February–June
Idaho	Year-round resident	March–June
Illinois	Year-round resident	March–June
Indiana	Year-round resident	March–June
Iowa	Year-round resident	March–June
Kansas	Year-round resident	March–June
Kentucky	Year-round resident	March–June
Louisiana	Year-round resident	February–June
Maine	Year-round resident	April–June
Manitoba	Year-round resident	April–June
Maryland	Year-round resident	March–June
Massachusetts	Year-round resident	March–June
Michigan	Year-round resident	March–June
Minnesota	Year-round resident	April–June
Mississippi	Year-round resident	February–June
Missouri	Year-round resident	March–June
Montana	Year-round resident	April–June
Nebraska	Year-round resident	March–June
Nevada	Year-round resident	March–June
New Brunswick	Year-round resident	April–June
New Hampshire	Year-round resident	April–June
New Jersey	Year-round resident	March–June
New Mexico	Year-round resident	March–June
New York	Year-round resident	March–June
Newfoundland and Labrador	Summer breeder	April–June
North Carolina	Year-round resident	March–June
North Dakota	Year-round resident	April–June
Northwest Territories	Summer breeder	April–June
Nova Scotia	Year-round resident	April–June
Nunavut	Summer breeder	April–June
Ohio	Year-round resident	March–June
Oklahoma	Year-round resident	March–June
Ontario	Year-round resident	April–June
Oregon	Year-round resident	March–June
Pennsylvania	Year-round resident	March–June
Prince Edward Island	Year-round resident	April–June
Quebec	Year-round resident	April–June
Rhode Island	Year-round resident	March–June
Saskatchewan	Year-round resident	April–June
South Carolina	Year-round resident	February–June
South Dakota	Year-round resident	March–June
Tennessee	Year-round resident	March–June
Texas	Year-round resident	February–June
Utah	Year-round resident	March–June
Vermont	Year-round resident	April–June
Virginia	Year-round resident	March–June
Washington	Year-round resident	March–June
West Virginia	Year-round resident	March–June
Wisconsin	Year-round resident	April–June
Wyoming	Year-round resident	April–June
Yukon	Summer breeder	April–June

Frequently asked

What do Canada geese eat?

Grasses, grain and aquatic plants. At feeders: none — do not feed; flocks foul lawns and water.

How big is a Canada Goose?

29.9–43.3 in long and 105.8–317.5 oz.

Do Canada geese use birdhouses?

No. Down-lined bowl on the ground near water.

Sources

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.