Canada Goose

Where’s Wildlife · Bird Field Guide

Canada Goose

Branta canadensis

This familiar goose often grazes on land and gathers in family groups or flocks.

Canada Goose standing on ice with its black neck and white chin patch visible.

Three Identification Clues

01 · FIELD MARK

Black head and long black neck with a white cheek-and-chin patch.

02 · FIELD MARK

Brown body, pale breast, and a pale undertail area.

03 · FIELD MARK

A substantial body and long neck; compare size and bill proportions with Cackling Goose.

Identification reference: Cornell Lab of Ornithology ↗

Field Photographs

Canada Goose standing on ice with its black neck and white chin patch visible.
Canada Goose standing on ice with its black neck and white chin patch visible.
Canada Goose gosling standing on gravel.
Canada Goose gosling standing on gravel.
Canada Goose adult with goslings on algae-covered water.
Canada Goose adult with goslings on algae-covered water.
Canada Goose adult with goslings on algae-covered water.
Canada Goose adult with goslings on algae-covered water.
Canada Goose two adults with a line of goslings on an algae-covered pond.
Canada Goose two adults with a line of goslings on an algae-covered pond.
Canada Goose adult swimming followed by goslings.
Canada Goose adult swimming followed by goslings.
Canada Goose adults with goslings on dark water.
Canada Goose adults with goslings on dark water.
Canada Goose adult facing forward with goslings.
Canada Goose adult facing forward with goslings.

Range & Sightings

Seasonal Range

Explore breeding, migration, and wintering areas.

View Range Map ↗

Recorded Observations

Explore sightings on iNaturalist. Observation records are not a complete range map.

iNaturalist observation map ↗

Keep Learning

Compare several photographs, then listen to recordings to connect appearance with voice.

Cornell · Identification ↗Cornell · Life history ↗Cornell · Songs and calls ↗