Taken at Oxford, Oxon., on January 25th 2018. (© David Hastings)
(1/1000th sec at f13. Click image for larger version)
Taken at Radley Lakes, Oxon., on February 21st 2015. (© David Hastings)
(1/250th sec at f11. Click image for larger version)

Description

L: 80 - 105cm; WS: 155 - 180cm

A large goose, with a distinctive black head and neck and large white throat patch. It was introduced into Britain from its native North America as early as the late 1600s.

Feral populations exist in most parts of the British Isles, and also in north-west Europe. Around 82000 pairs breed in the UK.

It breed on lakes and marshes, and along rivers and seashores.

Canada Geese form noisy flocks, and are often regarded as a nuisance in areas where large numbers occur on amenity grassland and parks. Hybridisation with Greylags occurs occasionally.

It has no conservation status as it is an introduced species.

Sightings