Ashley and Crippen Photographers, Toronto|Corporate Headshots/Executive Headshots 

Birds

Canada Geese

The most common and distinctive goose in America, which can be found across the entire country at different times of the year. Its nest is a large hollow lined with plant matter and soft down, in relatively open area near water. It lays 2-12 white eggs, which are incubated by the female for around 25-30 days. The male defends its mate and offspring very fiercely- warning intruders away at first, but not hesitating to attack even much larger suspected enemies. The young birds are downy and leave the nest soon after hatching, but stay with the parents until the following spring. The plumage of the mature adult can vary quite considerably, but it generally has a black head and neck, with a distinctive white “chin strap” from ear to ear, dark back, white undertail coverts. In flight, it shows dark wings and a white u-shaped rump band. Eastern birds are generally paler, western birds darker, but the difference can be hard to see. Northern birds tend to be smaller than those in the south. The Canada goose flies in V-formation when migrating, stopping often to feed. It eats aquatic plants, grain, grass and small aquatic animals. This species is currently spreading into city parks and golf courses and populations are increasing.