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Nature Documentaries

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.

Parc Île-de-la-Visitation - 2022-05-21
Location: Parc Île-de-la-Visitation
Date: 2022-05-21
Camera: NIKON Z6
Lens: NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S Z TC-2.0x
Settings: f/5.6 • 1/1000 • ISO 2200
Focal Length: 400mm
Parc nature de la Pointe-aux-Prairies - 2021-05-16
Location: Parc nature de la Pointe-aux-Prairies
Date: 2021-05-16
Camera: NIKON Z6
Lens: 70-200mm f/2.8
Settings: f2.8 • 1/1250 • ISO 180
Focal Length: 200mm
Parc Île-de-la-Visitation - 2020-05-14
Location: Parc Île-de-la-Visitation
Date: 2020-05-14
Camera: NIKON Z6
Lens: 300mm f/4.0
Settings: f/5.6 • 1/800 • ISO 160
Focal Length: 300mm
Parc des Rapides - 2019-04-14
Location: Parc des Rapides
Date: 2019-04-14
Camera: NIKON D500
Lens: 300mm f/4.0
Settings: f/5.6 • 1/1600 • ISO 900
Focal Length: 420mm
Parc des Rapides - 2019-03-16
Location: Parc des Rapides
Date: 2019-03-16
Camera: NIKON D500
Lens: 300mm f/4.0
Settings: f9.0 • 1/1600 • ISO 360
Focal Length: 420mm
Parc des Rapides - 2017-04-29
Location: Parc des Rapides
Date: 2017-04-29
Camera: NIKON D500
Lens: TAMRON SP AF 150-600mm F5-6.3 VC USD A011N
Settings: f6.3 • 1/1250 • ISO 250
Focal Length: 600mm
Parc Mont Saint-Bruno - 2015-05-17
Location: Parc Mont Saint-Bruno
Date: 2015-05-17
Camera: NIKON D7100
Lens: 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6
Settings: f5.6 • 1/640 • ISO 200
Focal Length: 70mm
Parc des Rapides - 2013-11-16
Location: Parc des Rapides
Date: 2013-11-16
Camera: Canon PowerShot
Lens: 4.3-215mm
Settings: f5.6 • 1/160 • ISO 125
Focal Length: 164mm

Common Names

🇨🇦Canada Goose
🇫🇷Bernache du Canada
🇩🇪Kanadagans
🇲🇽Barnacla canadiense, Ganso del Canadá

Taxonomy

OrderAnseriformes
FamilyAnatidae

Characteristics

Length75-110cm
Weight2.6-6.5kg
Wingspan127-185cm
Clutch Size2-12 eggs
Incubation25-28 days
Fledging10 weeks
Sexual Maturity2-3 years

Explore More

📖 Wikipedia Page: For more information about this species.

Identification and Whereabouts

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.

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.

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 Mont Saint-Bruno x - - -
Parc de la Cité - x - -
Parc de la Frayère x x - x
Parc des Rapides x x x x
Parc des Étangs Antoine-Charlebois x x - -
Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park - x - -
Parc Nature Pointe aux Prairies x - - -
Parc Île-de-la-Visitation 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.

Captured Moments

Videos are hosted on YouTube. Click on a thumbnail to watch it.