Global Sports: Pertinent Information About North American Geese

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Pertinent Information About North American Geese

By Robert Ford


The Canada Goose is scientifically known as the Branta Canadensis. The species belongs to the genus Branta due to its black plumage that distinguishes the goose from other species. The Branta Canadensis was initially known as a Canada Goose in 1772 and the name has been common ever since.

There is a further splitting of the species Branta Canadensis into not less than seven subspecies. These subspecies appear similar to one another even though the birds have very different sizes. Confusing the birds that come from the Branta Canadensis species is common at times since it is hard to tell the difference between the cackling goose and the smaller subspecies.

It is possible to tell which goose belongs to the Branta Canadensis species from the black head and neck that contains patches of white on the face. The plumage of this goose is darker and it is commonly of grayish or brownish in color. The fact that it is hard for hunters to prey on adult geese contributes to the growing and stable population of these birds. These geese mostly are herbivores though you will find them eating rare types of fish or insects occasionally. The birds mainly eat many grass and grain types and aquatic plants like the weeds growing in the sea.

The Branta Canadensis species is very social and the geese commonly live in families. They generally find a mate once they reach the age of two and stay with their partners as long as they live. They usually protect their nests and their young together in the incubation period and during the period when their goslings are still young.

The Canada Goose usually makes its nests in high areas close to water. The females lay between three to eight eggs each year and they do not fly in the period of incubation due to the flight feather loss that occurs during this time. The parents offer protection to their young after they are born and you can commonly see them lead the goslings in a line. One parent usually leads them and the other follows.

The origin of the Branta Canadensis species is in the temperate and arctic areas of North America. Nevertheless, now you can find this species in other areas like Eastern Siberia, Northern Europe, Eastern China and Japan. People have also introduced the Canada Goose to other areas in the world and New Zealand is an example.

Often, these geese live close to water bodies like rivers, lakes, marshes and streams. This goose species usually prefers to live in these natural areas but human development has influenced the geese to live in towns. It's quite common for people to consider the large population of geese in towns as pests sometimes. The other places where you can find the geese living at, is in golf courses or the area surrounding the courses. This is a direct result of human interference.

Canada Geese that migrate every spring and fall are the ones that do not make permanent living areas. The Branta Canadensis species often creates rest spots as it migrates to reduce the tiredness that occurs during travel.

During migration, you'll discover that Canada Geese fly in a flock forming a letter V appearance so that the burden of flying is not great. In this V formation, the goose leading changes position to reduce strain. The birds take part in migratory activities during the fall and spring seasons. However, they do not spend as much time in their winter homes as they do in their summer homes.




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