Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)
Canada Goose is the largest goose seen in Quebec. It spends the warm season in the Montreal area, and breeds along the rivers and lake shores. Quite territorial and defensive during breeding season, the geese join themselves in large flocks for migration in autumn.
| 🇫🇷 | Bernache du Canada |
| 🇩🇪 | Kanadagans |
| 🇲🇽 | Barnacla canadiense, Ganso del Canadá |
| Taxonomy | |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
How to Identify
Clearly distinguishable from other goose species by its brown body, black neck, and head with white cheeks. The only similar species is the Brant (Branta bernicla), which is smaller and lacks the white cheeks, instead having a white ring around the neck.
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Characteristics
| Length | 75-110cm |
| Weight | 2.6-6.5kg |
| Wingspan | 127-185cm |
| Clutch Size | 2-12 eggs |
| Incubation | 25-28 days |
| Fledging | 10 weeks |
| Sexual Maturity | 2-3 years |
| Source | Wikipedia |
Where and When to Spot
In the Montreal area, Canada Geese are present from spring to autumn. They arrive as soon as the lakes and river shores thaw. During autumn, they gather in large flocks before migrating south in late October or early November.
Observation Records by Park and Season
| Location | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boisé Des Douze | x | - | - | - |
| Jardin Botanique de Montréal | x | x | x | - |
| Parc Angrignon | x | x | x | - |
| Parc Bernard-Landry | x | - | x | - |
| Parc Michel-Chartrand | x | - | - | x |
| Parc de la Cité | - | x | - | - |
| Parc de la Frayère | x | x | - | x |
| Parc des Rapides, Lachine | x | x | x | x |
| Parc des Étangs Antoine-Charlebois | - | x | - | - |
| Parc Île-de-la-Visitation | x | - | - | - |
| Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park | - | x | - | - |
"x" indicates the species was observed, while "-" indicates no observation. Lack of observation doesn't necessarily imply that the species is absent. Data is derived from our park visit journals.