From the past few years, the number of Canadian Geese has increased to a great extent in the urban as well as the sub-urban regions of Canada. The Canadian Goose has a brown-colored back. The breast color changes from tan shade to a cream color. It has a black head and a black neck, and a strip of white color is present on the chin.
Effective measures were implemented in the past (nearly ten or twenty years ago) to reinstate the Canadian Geese population in various parts of the country. With a tremendous increase in their number, they have now become annoying pests.
Among the numerous subspecies of the geese of Canada, eleven of them have been named. A few of these birds can be distinguished because of their varying features. Geese of darker color are predominant in western Canada, while smaller geese are mostly found in the north.
In the past, migration to the south was prevalent among the geese of Canada. Recently, migration to the north is more popular due to food-availability even over winter season and autumnal fall. A major adjustment in agricultural patterns is one of the reasons behind the change in the migration trend. Hunting threats and climatic variations are also responsible for this trend.
The geese in Canada shift to the north as soon as the breeding period is over. The geese which have no nests and those birds which don’t breed fly to the distant north by travelling a distance of about 1500 kilometers. The geese which generally do not migrate in winter fly northwards by the latter half of summer. This is necessary to enable them to molt. Geese molt in densely planted areas.
Each male and female goose selects its partner in accordance to its own size. It is remarkable to note that the Canadian Geese form a partnership for life. During the 1900s, the giant type of the Canadian Geese reached extinction. As a result, they were bred in large amounts and introduced into many localities of the country. They became unexpectedly abundant and were then put under the category of pests.
Predominantly found in marshy land and on grassy areas or grain-cultivated fields close to water resources, the Canadian Geese like to reside amidst the grass. This is because they can easily feed their little ones, simultaneously checking out for predatory animals. Hence, it is not surprising to find flocks of these birds in human-inhabited parts like the airport, grassy lawns, parks and golf courses.
Foliates form the major food of Canada Geese. Flora found in marshes, a range of eelgrass, grass and fallen cabbage leaves form a good source of food for them in springtime and summer. Seeds, grain and blueberries serve as their food in winter and during the autumnal fall. An interesting fact is that two main subspecies of Canada Geese have survived, having adapted well enough to their environment.
These birds lay 2 to 8 eggs in one clutch. They are white colored with a creamy shade. Measuring 8.3 centimeters in breadth and 3.3 inches in length, they incubate for about 25 to 28 days. The eggs hatch to reveal little yellow goslings. Their eyes are openwhen they are hatched. After a nestling time of 45 to 50 days, they are able to live on their own.
Canada geese are a migratory species. For more information about Canada goose decoys click the link.
