Month 9 · September · Wave 1

Canada Goose

Branta canadensis · Anatidae

Famous V-formation migration — and now a year-round city resident in many places.

At a glance

Size: 30–43 in
Wingspan: 50–68 in
Habitat: Lakes, lawns, farmland, city parks
Diet: Grasses, grains, aquatic plants

Range: North America; many populations now resident year-round

Nesting: Ground nest near water; often on islands or elevated spots safe from predators.

Coloring pose idea: V-formation in flight against autumn sky

Hear this bird

General call / song: Loud resonant honk; flocks create a chorus in flight.

Mating / display: Pair / courtship recordings are linked below when Audubon labels them. Original note — Mutual honking and neck displays between pair; lifelong pair bonds are common.

Buttons open trusted public pages with playable recordings. We link out — we do not host or embed the audio.

Play calls on All About Birds Species overview Audubon field guide Mating / courtship calls

How to know it

Black head and neck with bright white chinstrap.
Brown body, pale chest; large and long-necked.
Distinguish from smaller Cackling Goose by size and bill proportions.

Behavior

Strong family bonds; goslings follow parents in a line.
Honking V-formations save energy on migration.
Can be territorial near nests in spring.

Fun facts

Some urban flocks no longer migrate long distances.
Goslings imprint on parents within hours.
Chinstrap pattern is unique among common North American geese.

Companion page for the Birds Coloring Calendar series by R. J. D. B. Fact summaries are original educational text. Call playback via link to All About Birds / Cornell Lab. Re-test QR codes on a phone before final print. Not affiliated with Cornell Lab or Audubon.

← All species · https://birds-rjdb.pages.dev/species/canada-goose