Colour: long black neck and head with a
white patch on cheek, brown back and wings, a pale chest and white undertail, black legs and feet. They have a black bill and eyes. Juveniles are a lighter colour, often a mixture of yellow and dark brown.

Size: large, 76-110cm, wingspan 127-170cm.

Lifespan: 12-26 years.

Where and when: found in the pond in
Victoria Park, or by Regent’s Canal, all year round.

Conservation status: green

Habitat

Canada geese reside anywhere near lakes, rivers, ponds or other water bodies, and love areas with short grass. They originate in North America but were introduced into England for sport and as ornamental waterfowl and then into other Northern European countries.

Diet

Herbivorous – eat things like grass, leaves, roots, seeds (they have a serrated bill to graze efficiently on short grass). They feed by dabbling in water or grazing in fields.

Behaviour

They spend most of day grazing and foraging, and are social, often moving in pairs or noisy flocks. These flocks fly in a V shape. Canada geese are often seen as a nuisance in areas where large numbers gather in parks and other green spaces.

Breeding

Monogamous – they form one long term pair that either live alone or in a flock. During breeding season, which takes place April to May, these birds form large nesting colonies.