Canada Goose Branta canadensis

Identification Tips:

• Length: 16-25 inches Wingspan: 50-68 inches
• Sexes similar
• Large long-necked goose
• Black bill
• Black head and neck
• White throat patch extends up to cheek
• Brown back, upper wing and flanks
• Brownish-white breast and belly
• White upper tail coverts contrast with black tail
• White undertail coverts
• Great size variation, with some northern subspecies duck-sized
• Immature similar to adult

Similar species:

Similar only to Brant, which has a black breast, white flanks and a small white neck patch rather than a large white throat and cheek patch.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.

Above information used courtesy of United States Geological Survey.