The Canada Goose

The Canada goose can be found is every US state and Canadian province at one time of year or another. These geese are adaptable to climates, and many fly south for the winter. Canada geese like to make parks and golf courses, and other developments their permanent home, which means they can be a nuisance at times.

These communal birds remain in flocks all year except when nesting. Canada geese build their nests with grasses and line them with down. A clutch of goose eggs can be numbered anywhere from 2 to 12, though the typical number is 5 to 7. Geese are fiercely protective of their young (which you've probably discovered if you wandered near a nest and had a hissing parent chase you to the county).

Canada geese eat a wide assortment of vegetation including grass, roots, and young sprouts. They will also eat corn, grain, and aquatic vegetation.

A few days ago, I saw a flock of Canada geese flying in their typical "V" formation over the hills near my home. The headwind was so strong, however, that it seemed as if the poor birds were frozen in midair, wings flapping furiously!


I took the photo at the Syracuse Zoo. More zoo animals a-coming!
Sources: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/canada-goose/
http://www.kidzone.ws/animals/birds/canada-goose.htm