Fauna Flora Photography

Canada Goose Branta canadensis

Canada Goose is the largest goose seen in Quebec. It spends the warm season in the Montreal area, and breeds along the rivers and lake shores. Quite territorial and defensive during breeding season, the geese join themselves in large flocks for migration in autumn.

Specs

Length90-120cm
Weight2.7-6.4kg
Wingspan150-180cm

Common Names

GermanKanadagans
EnglishCanada Goose
FrenchBernache du Canada
SpanishBarnacla canadiense

Taxonomy

OrderAnseriformes
FamilyAnatidae
SpeciesBranta canadensis

How to Identify

Clearly distinguishable from other geese species with its brown body, black neck and head with white cheeks. The only similar species is the Brant, which is smaller and doesn't have the white cheeks but a white ring around the neck.

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) - Parc Île-de-la-Visitation - 2022-05-21
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) - Parc Nature Pointe aux Prairies - 2021-05-16
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) - Parc Île-de-la-Visitation - 2020-05-14
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) - Parc des Rapides - 2019-04-14
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) - Parc des Rapides - 2019-03-16
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) - Parc des Rapides - 2017-04-29
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) - Mont Saint Bruno - 2015-05-17
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) - Parc des Rapides - 2013-11-16

Where and When to Spot

In Montreal area from spring to autumn. Canada geese arrive as soon as the lakes and river shores are not frozen anymore. They group up in large flocks during autumn before migrating South late October, early November.

SpringSummerFallWinter
Boisé Des Douze x - - -
Jardin Botanique de Montréal x x x -
Parc Angrignon x x x -
Parc Bernard-Landry x - x -
Parc de la Cité - x - -
Parc de la Frayère x x - x
Parc des Rapides x x x x
Parc Île-de-la-Visitation x - - -
Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park - x - -

Where and when a species has been observed, identified, and recorded.

Videos of Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)


Last updated on 2024-02-12. Written and regularly updated by Karl-Heinz Müller, Dipl. Natw. ETH, Biology. With 10 years of experience in wildlife photography, Karl-Heinz shares first-hand, on-site collected observations, photos and videos from his frequent visits to parks in the Montreal area.