Branta Canadensis is the scientific name given to the Canada Goose and the genus name for this species is Branta because of the black plumage that distinguishes it from other goose species. In 1772, people gave the Branta Canadensis goose species the name Canada Goose and the name sticks till now.
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 usual sometimes since it is difficult to tell the difference between the cackling goose and the smaller subspecies.
You can 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 at times. The birds mainly eat many grass and grain types and aquatic plants like the weeds growing in the sea.
The Branta Canadensis is a very social species that spend their lives in a family setting. In the second year of life the Canada Goose finds a mate, which they will stay with for the rest of their lives. Canada Geese work together to defend their nests and their goslings throughout the incubation period and into the early years of the goslings live.
The location of the nests is generally in an elevated area near to water. The number of eggs that a female goose lays ranges between three and eight. Because the geese usually lose the feathers they use to fly during the incubation period, they do not fly at all. After hatching of goslings takes place, the parents still defend their young and it is a common thing to find one of the parents leading and the other following their young after placing them in a line.
The Branta Canadensis originated from North America’s temperate and arctic regions but it is now common to see the species in other regions including Eastern China, Japan, Northern Europe and Eastern Siberia. You can also find this goose in other world regions like New Zealand because of human introductions.
The main areas to find these geese are near water bodies including lakes, rivers, streams and marshes and this species typically likes this natural habitat. Even so, you will find the species living in urban areas because of the developments created by humans. You will find very many geese of this species living in towns such that people consider them to be pests sometimes. Because of the interference of humans, you will find certain flocks of geese living permanently especially in golf courses or close to them.
Canada Geese that migrate every spring and fall are those 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.
When migrating, the Canada Goose flies in a flock that looks like a V to reduce the burden the that it has to bear. The goose that leads in the V formation changes its position because that is the most tiring position. Canada Geese migrate in the seasons of fall and spring but they stay for a shorter time in their winter grounds compared to their homes in the summer.
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