Wild geese in Montana

Geese on a pond in western Montana (Photo by Merle Ann Loman)

Canada Geese, Branta canadensis, are one of the most easily recognized birds with black heads, white cheek patches, long black necks, and gray-brown bodies. Their size varies, depending on subspecies, from slightly larger than a duck to almost as large as a swan. The dark underwings and gray bellies distinguish Canada Geese from Snow and Ross' geese. The calls overhead from large groups of Canada Geese flying in V-shaped formation signal the transitions into spring and autumn.

In Montana, Canada Geese are common along rivers and around wetlands throughout the state. See the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks distribution map.

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Gosling in a pond (Photo by Merle Ann Loman)

Canada Geese eat grain from fields, graze on grass, and dabble in shallow water, tipping forward and extending their necks underwater. During much of the year they gather in large flocks, and many of these birds may be related to one another. Though they usually don’t breed until their fourth year, they mate for life and pairs remain together throughout the year.

During spring, pairs break out from flocks and begin defending territories. Spacing of the pairs depends on availability of nest sites and population density. Where population is dense, even after many fights birds may end up nesting in view of one another, and some populations are semi-colonial.

The female selects the nest site, builds nest, and incubates from 2 to 10 eggs. She may brood goslings in cold, wet, or windy weather and while they’re sleeping for first week after hatching. The male guards the nest while female incubates.

Geese on the Bitterroot River (Photo by Merle Ann Loman)

Soon after they hatch, goslings begin pecking at small objects, and spend most of their time sleeping and feeding. They stay with their parents constantly, and in the larger groups, “gang broods” form and they will explore, feed, and loaf together, accompanied by at least one adult.

Young often remain with their parents for their entire first year. At the end of the summer, birds become more social. They begin to gather in larger numbers at food sources. Where food is limited and patchy, they may compete with displays and fights.

In winter, Geese can remain in northern areas with some open water and food resources even where temperatures are extremely cold. Geese breeding in the northernmost reaches of their range tend to migrate long distances to winter in the more southerly parts of the range, whereas geese breeding in southern Canada and the conterminous United States including Montana migrate shorter distances or not at all. Individuals tend to return to the same migratory stopover and wintering areas year after year.

Migrating flocks generally include loose collections of family groups and individuals, in both spring and fall. Flights usually begin at dusk, but may begin any time of day, and birds fly both night and day. As they move in a V formation, the experienced individuals take turns leading the flock.

Canada Geese are common and increasing in much of North America. The increasing amount of lawns, golf courses, and parks offers Canada Geese such reliable habitat that in some areas the birds stay all year round instead of migrating like they used to do. Recently, some communities have had to begin considering some Canada Geese as nuisances (for eating grass or fouling lawns) or even hazards (around airports, where collisions with planes can be very dangerous). A few million Canada Geese are harvested by hunters in North America, but this does not seem to affect its numbers.