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Canada Geese
Branta canadensis
45.8116, -92.6408
Field Notes
Description:
This large goose is predominately brown with the characteristic black head and neck with its white "chinstrap." Flanks are white, tail is black. Sexes similar. Male tends to stand guard and often places himself between the goose/young and threats.
Habitat:
Canada geese require only grass on which to feed and a water body to retire from predators and to harbor nests and young. As a result, wetlands, ponds, and lakes all constitute satisfactory habitat provided grassy feeding areas are available. Many parks and suburban city areas often have thriving populations of these birds.
Notes:
Sometimes these geese become nuisances. They have relatively inefficient digestive systems and they eat lots of fiber the result of which is copious amounts of droppings. As a result, they may rise the ire of homeowners and city park officials. They are, however, beautiful birds.
They were once hunted extensively in North America by market hunters. So much so that they were nearly wiped out. Conservation practices and restrictive hunting laws have permitted their populations to rebuild.
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