Canada geese on passing migration
Photo Peep Käspre
Translation: Liis
Canada geese in Lääne-Virumaa
Canada goose Kanada lagle Branta canadensis
The Canada goose is a foreign species that was brought in by humans to Scandinavia from North America. It has also started breeding in Finland. In Estonia we only see passing migrants, both in autumn and in spring.
Seen from afar a Canada goose might be mistaken for an Anser goose, but the typical characteristics of the species are visible far off – the black head and neck. Compared to other Branta geese it is a giant. Canada geese have a length of about a metre, wing span more than one and a half metre, and the weight of individuals varies between 2 and 6 kilos. The large birds have few enemies.
Canadageese all have similar plumages; the black plumage of young birds only leaves a duller impression. Head, neck, beak and tail are black, cheeks and the under-tail feathers white, sides lengthwise streaked in yellowish brown, front whitish with a yellow tinge.
Usually they forage in meadows and fields, quite as Peep’s photo shows. Of course they also feed in shallow shore waters.
Canada goose observations: LINK
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