  Photos Copyright ©2005 The Assateague Naturalist |
The Canada Goose (Branta
canadensis) Found in North America at large, Canada geese are the most widely distributed of the wild geese. While they are mainly spring and autumn migrants that travel in V-shaped flocks, often with a fair amount of honking, they winter southward to northern Mexico and are common year-round on Assateague. They are often seen along the main road (map), sometimes even seeming to take pleasure in marching across the road or even blocking the road to traffic. With one brood a season, most nest in northern parts of the U.S., and some nest on Assateague. Their nests, usually on the ground at the water's edge, are constructed of twigs, grasses, reeds, and much down. An average of 4-8 white eggs hatch in 28 days, and the young become fledglings in two to three weeks. On Assateague in May it is not unusual to see whole families along the side of the road. If you leave your car and approach them, the male will probably crouch low with his neck extended while escorting the young to safety. Like other geese, Canada geese spend more time on land than ducks do. They are strict vegetarians that feed in the water or on the ground on grasses, sedges, and roots of aquatic plants. They also favor grain left in farmers' fields. Canada Goose Call (.wav
format)
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