Description
Canada Goose Reflection
Canada Goose Reflection – this image was shot on a cold November morning when the lake at Venus Pools was so still it resembled a mirror. The reflection of this Canada goose was irresistible.
Canada Geese live in a great many habitats near water, grassy fields, and grain fields.
Canada Geese are particularly drawn to lawns for two reasons: they can digest grass, and when they are feeding with their young, manicured lawns give them a wide, unobstructed view of any approaching predators.
So they are especially abundant in parks, airports, golf courses, and other areas with expansive lawns.
In spring and summer, geese concentrate their feeding on grasses and sedges, including skunk cabbage leaves and eelgrass.
During fall and winter, they rely more on berries and seeds, including agricultural grains, and seem especially fond of blueberries.
They’re very efficient at removing kernels from dry corn cobs. Two subspecies have adapted to urban environments and graze on domesticated grasses year round.
NEST PLACEMENT
On the ground, usually on a muskrat mound or other slightly elevated site, near water. They prefer a spot from which they can have a fairly unobstructed view in many directions. Female selects the site and does much of nest construction. She adds down feathers and some body feathers beginning after the second egg is laid. She does all the incubation while her mate guards her and the nest.
NEST DESCRIPTION
A large open cup on the ground, made of dry grasses, lichens, mosses, and other plant material, and lined with down and some body feathers.
NESTING FACTS
Clutch Size: | 2-8 eggs |
Number of Broods: | 1 brood |
Egg Length: | 3.3 in (8.3 cm) |
Egg Width: | 2.2 in (5.6 cm) |
Incubation Period: | 25-28 days |
Nestling Period: | 42-50 days |
Egg Description: | Creamy white. |
Condition at Hatching: | Hatchlings are covered with yellowish down and their eyes are open. They leave the nest when 1-2 days old, depending on weather, and can walk, swim, feed, and even dive. They have enough energy remaining in their yolk sac to survive 2 days before feeding. |
Behavior
Canada Geese eat grain from fields, graze on grass, and dabble in shallow water by tipping forward and extending their necks underwater. During much of the year they associate in large flocks, and many of these birds may be related to one another. They mate for life with very low “divorce rates,” and pairs remain together throughout the year. Geese mate “assortatively,” larger birds choosing larger mates and smaller ones choosing smaller mates; in a given pair, the male is usually larger than the female. Most Canada Geese do not breed until their fourth year; less than 10 percent breed as yearlings, and most pair bonds are unstable until birds are at least two or three years old. Extra-pair copulations have been documented.
During spring, pairs break out from flocks and begin defending territories. Spacing of these pairs is variable and depends on availability of nest sites and population density; where population is large, even after a great many fights birds may end up nesting in view of one another, and some populations are semi-colonial.
Canada Goose threat displays may involve head pumping, bill opened with tongue raised, hissing, honking, and vibrating neck feathers. When an intruding goose doesn’t retreat, geese may grab each other by breast or throat and hit each other with their wings. Fighting may result in injuries.
Female selects nest site, builds nest, and incubates eggs. She may brood goslings in cold, wet, or windy weather and while they’re sleeping for first week after hatching. Male guards the nest while female incubates.
Soon after they hatch, goslings begin pecking at small objects, and spend most of their time sleeping and feeding. They remain with their parents constantly, though sometimes “gang broods” form, especially in more southern latitudes. These can include at least two broods, and sometimes five or more, that travel, feed, and loaf together, accompanied by at least one adult.
Curated content source
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.