Canada Goose

The Canada Goose is the most familiar and common of geese in Canada. The size decreases northward with the smallest living in the high Arctic coastal tundra. A brownish body with a black head, long black neck and white chin strap characterize the colouring of this goose. A rich, musical honking is the call of the larger species and a high pitched cackling is that of the smaller. This goose lives throughout the majority of North America in lakes, bays, rivers and marshes. They are often seen feeding in open grasslands and stubble fields. They have become a semi-domesticated bird in city parks and on reservoirs. The Canada goose is well known for its V-shaped migrating flocks and characteristic honk. They are chiefly grazers, feeding on stubble fields and marsh vegetation. There are 11 geographical races; some with populations well over a million, some barely over one thousand.

General issues across the Sub Region will be addressed below, followed by management plans specific to individual populations.

Issues:

• Carpenter Lake reservoir, when flooded, covers prime feeding areas for Canada goose
• Lack of data on population dynamics in Sub Region
• There may be herbicide spraying in regions in the Sub Region that may be affecting birds that eat or depend on the sprayed plants

Goals:

• Implement studies to determine population dynamics
• Implement studies to determine the effects of water management on Canada goose
• Determine where and when herbicide spraying occurs, and what plant species are being treated
• Determine if the herbicide spraying is affecting Canada goose populations