#branta canadensis

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HONK!

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Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

© James Ancona

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Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

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A Canadian goose I saw last September. I think it’s leucistic? Or diluted? I’m not entirely sure, I’ve never seen another goose like that here... My fiance spotted it today, so I’m happy it’s still around and doing well!

Update: Thank you to all who helped me ID this goose, it’s a Canadian goose hybrid!

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Geese Family

A family of Canada geese paddling along the River Nene, at Titchmarsh nature reserve.

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I think I offended one of the parents

Canada Goose

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Canada Goose

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Don’t worry, you and me won’t be alone no more

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honk

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1966 - Canada Goose with example of 'small race'

This is the first one that really caught my eye because the 'small race' is one of my chase species that i would LOVE to see irl.

The Canada goose (Branta canadensis) is a common sight over nearly all of North America - love 'em or hate 'em they're everywhere. Prior to 2004, there was just the one species - B. canadensis - and there were "at least ten recognized subspecies, which differ greatly in size and slightly in color".

But in 2004 - and then in 2005 for the British Ornithologists' Union - the American Ornithologists' Union split it into two species - with B. canadensis remaining the Canada goose (or Greater Canada goose) we all know and love (or hate), and the 'small race' became its own species - the cackling goose (Branta hutchinsii) - with its own series of subspecies!

The way amateur birders are taught to recognize it is its small stature compared to the classic Canada goose, white ring around the neck, and distinct bill shape in comparison - much smaller with a greater slope into the forehead.

This guide does even note that "the characteristic honking is well known; the smaller races have a distinct cackling call", which B. hutchinsii and all its subspecies were named for.

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Robbins, C.S., Brunn, B., Zim, H.S., & Singer, A. (1966). Birds of North America. Golden Press.

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Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

"Nobody will submit the Canada goose" "Gonna take a gamble that no one else submits popular birds but I'm probably wrong, whoops"

The Hawaiian Goose, (Nēnē), seems to have originated from a population of Canada Goose.

While protecting their goslings, parents often violently chase away nearby creatures, from small blackbirds to lone humans who approach: first giving a warning hiss, and then attacking with bites and slaps of the wings. Canada geese are especially protective animals, and will sometimes attack any animal nearing their territory or offspring, including humans. Although parents are hostile to unfamiliar geese, they may form groups of a number of goslings and a few adults, called crèches. Goslings become capable of flight between six to nine weeks of age, but will stay with their parents until after the spring migration, when they return to their birthplace. During the second year of their lives, Canada geese find a mate. They are monogamous, and most couples stay together all of their lives. If one dies, the other may find a new mate.

Geese are commonly hunted as a part of their population control. Drake Larsen, a researcher in sustainable agriculture at Iowa State University, described them to The Atlantic magazine as "so yummy ...good, lean, rich meat. I find they are similar to a good cut of beef."

Sources:

Image Source: eBird (Esme Rosen)

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Don't let me tell you again by Paul Wright

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) and Greylag Goose (Anser anser)

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Canada goose on it's nest

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My goose adventure, today, began with a familiar orange bill. This is the very same farm goose who was with the creche I saw earlier in the summer. Only, she was all alone beneath this pier, today. It broke my heart. She must have been ejected or something. She's all alone in this world. I just wanna pick her up and hug her.

I did eventually find the creche in Tanner Park. They had one sentry on duty, and he did his job very well while the other feasted.

Illustrated nicely here.

He even yawned for me!!

A freshly fledged goose wanders onto the sidewalk to poop and preen.

Her parents wander over to guide her back to the grass, or perhaps to watch over her.

The sun came out!

Many of the geese decided it was time for a rest. Unfortunately afterwards, some people walked by with a full-grown german shepherd, and set them all on high alert. No rest for these geese until the sentries give the all-clear. I decided that I should likewise leave, it seems their life is stressful enough, though they did get comfortable enough to get close to me.