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Canada Goose - Branta canadensis
Family - Anatidae
Mainly brown, it has a black neck and head with a white band under the chin extending up the sides to the rear of the beak, a white area under the tail. Off white lower neck to almost brown body, in juveniles the white areas are a light chocolate brown. Impressive flight similar to a swans, the Canada Goose carries its neck out stretched and tucks its feet up close to its tail. Flight characterised by long slow wing beats and noisy "honking" between birds in the flock. Flies just above treetop height in a characteristic V formation to reduce effort with the lead bird changing at intervals.
Canada Geese pair for life, building a reasonably large nest of aquatic plants, leaves etc, just above the water line. Lays five to six eggs hatching in 15 to 20 days, young are dark grey and grow quickly, they are able to swim very soon after hatching. Parents will protect the goslings from all threats becoming very noisy and violent to the aggressor. Canada Geese are quiet and reasonably docile on the ground and in water, they are not shy and are often found in close proximity to the public. Become noisy when preparing and taking off, accomplished by running along the water surface accompanied by rapid wing beats.
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