Back to Field Guide
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
Audubon Illustration
John James Audubon, Birds of America (1827-1838). Public domain.
Migration Flyway
Showing primary migration corridor(s) for this species
Last Spotted Near You
About the Canada Goose
The Canada goose (Branta canadensis) is a large species of goose with a black head and neck, white cheeks, white under its chin, and a brown body. It is native to the Arctic and temperate regions of North America, and it is occasionally found during migration across the Atlantic in northern Europe. It has been introduced to France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Scandinavia, New Zealand, Japan, Chile, Argentina, and the Falkland Islands.
Source: Wikipedia
Classification
- Scientific name
- Branta canadensis
- Family
- Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl
- Order
- Anseriformes
Similar species
Other members of the ducks, geese, and waterfowl family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.
- American Black Duck Anas rubripes
- American Wigeon Mareca americana
- Baer's Pochard Aythya baeri
- Baikal Teal Sibirionetta formosa
- Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus
- Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis
- Barrow's Goldeneye Bucephala islandica
- Black Scoter Melanitta americana
- Black Swan Cygnus atratus
- Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis
- Black-necked Swan Cygnus melancoryphus
- Blue-billed Teal Spatula hottentota
Know when the Canada Goose turns up near you
How rare bird alerts work →Gear for spotting Canada Goose
Optics
Best Binoculars for Beginners
You don't need to spend a fortune. These four pairs will get you birding confidently on day one.
8 min readRead guide
Cameras
Cameras for Bird Photography
From phone adapters to dedicated rigs, here's what actually works for capturing birds in the field.
12 min readRead guide