# Canada Goose (*Branta canadensis*) > The Canada goose is a large, adaptable waterbird native to North America, easily recognised by its black head and neck, white chinstrap, and loud honking call. It grazes on grasses and grain around lakes, fields, and parks, weighs 3 to 6 kg, and famously flies in V-formation, reaching up to 90 km/h (56 mph). Canada geese live up to 24 years and are listed as Least Concern. - **Category:** Bird - **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern - **Range:** Canada goose native across North America from Arctic tundra to Gulf Coast; introduced to Europe, New Zealand, and Argentina. - **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/goose/ - **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16 ## Scientific classification - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Anseriformes - **Family:** Anatidae - **Genus:** Branta ## Facts at a glance | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Scientific name | Branta canadensis | | Diet | Herbivore — grasses, sedges, grain, and aquatic plants | | Habitat | Lakes, fields, and parks across North America | | Lifespan | 10–24 years in the wild | | Weight | 3–6 kg (6.6–13 lb); giant subspecies heavier | | Top speed | Up to 90 km/h (56 mph) in flight | | Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) | ## The V-formation and migration Canada geese are celebrated for flying in a distinctive V-formation during their long seasonal migrations. Each bird flies slightly above the one in front, catching the uplift from its wingtips so the whole flock saves energy, and the lead position is rotated as birds tire. Migrating flocks can travel hundreds of kilometres in a day and reach speeds of up to 90 km/h with a following wind. Their honking calls help the flock stay together across great distances and in poor visibility. ## Grazing and diet Canada geese are herbivores that feed mainly on grasses, sedges, grain, and aquatic plants. On land they graze like small livestock, cropping lawns, pastures, and playing fields with their serrated bills, while in water they up-end to reach submerged vegetation. In autumn and winter they switch heavily to waste grain in harvested fields, building fat reserves for migration and cold weather. This flexible, plant-based diet is one reason the species does so well around farmland and towns. ## Appearance and identification The Canada goose is instantly recognisable by its long black neck and head marked with a broad white "chinstrap" across the throat. The body is greyish-brown above and paler below, ending in a white rump band and black tail. Adults typically weigh 3 to 6 kg and measure about a metre long, with the so-called giant subspecies growing heavier still. Males and females look alike, though ganders are usually a little larger than geese. ## Nesting and goslings Canada geese pair for life and both parents share in raising the brood. The female builds a nest of grass and down on the ground near water and incubates a clutch of usually four to seven eggs for about four weeks, while the gander stands guard nearby. The fluffy yellow-and-grey goslings can walk, swim, and feed within a day of hatching and follow their parents closely. Families often merge into large groups called crèches, and the young stay with their parents through their first migration. ## Behaviour and defence Canada geese are bold, social birds that gather in noisy flocks outside the breeding season. During nesting, however, a gander will defend his mate and eggs fiercely, hissing, spreading his wings, and charging at intruders many times his size, including people and dogs. This aggression around nests is a common source of conflict in parks and gardens. Their alertness and willingness to sound the alarm also make them effective early-warning sentinels for other wildlife. ## Adaptability and status The Canada goose is listed as Least Concern and has become one of North America's great conservation success stories, rebounding strongly after historic overhunting. It thrives in human-altered landscapes such as parks, golf courses, reservoirs, and farmland, and many populations have stopped migrating where winters are mild and food is plentiful. Introduced birds have also established themselves in the UK and parts of Europe. In some areas they are now so numerous that they are considered a nuisance, with lifespans reaching up to 24 years in the wild. ## Frequently asked questions ### Why do Canada geese fly in a V-formation? Geese fly in a V so that each bird can ride the uplift created by the wingtips of the one ahead, which saves energy across long flights. The lead bird works hardest and is swapped out as it tires, and the formation also helps the flock keep track of one another. ### What do Canada geese eat? Canada geese are herbivores that eat grasses, sedges, grain, and aquatic plants. They graze on lawns and fields, feed on waste grain after harvest, and up-end in water to reach submerged plants. ### How fast can a Canada goose fly? Canada geese can fly at up to 90 km/h (56 mph), especially with a helpful tailwind during migration. Their normal cruising speed is lower, but they can cover hundreds of kilometres in a single day. ### How long do Canada geese live? Canada geese commonly live 10 to 24 years in the wild, and some individuals live even longer. Their long lifespan and lifelong pair bonds mean established pairs can return to the same breeding sites for many years. ### Are Canada geese aggressive? Canada geese are usually calm but become highly protective during the nesting season. A gander guarding eggs or goslings will hiss, spread its wings, and charge at people or animals it sees as a threat, which is why nesting geese are best given a wide berth. ### Why are there so many Canada geese? Canada geese have boomed because they adapt easily to human landscapes such as parks, farms, and reservoirs, where food is plentiful and natural predators are few. Many populations have also stopped migrating in mild areas, so numbers stay high year-round and can even be seen as a nuisance. ## Sources - [IUCN Red List — Branta canadensis.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Branta%20canadensis&searchType=species) - [Animal Diversity Web — Branta canadensis. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Branta_canadensis/) --- Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/goose/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.