Canada Goose Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesCanada Goose
Adult
Large with a long black neck and white cheek patch. Body brown with paler chest and white undertail. Legs and feet black.
© Max McCarthy / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, February 24, 2017Adult (occidentalis/fulva)
Evenly dark brown body with limited contrast with the black neck.
© Liam Singh / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, November 05, 2016Adult
Individuals can vary greatly in size. Note smoothly sloping transition between bill and forehead. Forages by dabbling, or reaching into shallow water to eat vegetation.
© Tim Laman / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, April 19, 2009Not all videos have sound
Adult
When alert sits with neck stretched up straight.
© Alix d'Entremont / Macaulay LibraryNova Scotia, April 12, 2015Adult
In flight shows a prominent white "U" on the dark uppertail, contrasting with the black tail.
© Brian Collins / Macaulay LibraryWisconsin, February 18, 2017Flock
Gathers in large flocks that communicate via raucous honking. Note considerable size variation among flock members.
© Benjamin Clock / Macaulay LibraryNew York, November 16, 2006Not all videos have sound
Juvenile
Chicks are fluffy and yellowish, with black legs and bill.
© Jason B Bidgood / Macaulay LibraryColorado, April 25, 2017Adult
Often found near human habitation, and can be aggressive when threatened.
© Esme Rosen / Macaulay LibraryNevada, February 11, 2017Adult with juveniles
The female lines the nest with down feathers plucked from her own breast.
© DAVID BROWN / Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 01, 2004Not all videos have sound
Adult
Sometimes nests on raised platforms or in trees.
© Kent McFarland / Macaulay LibraryVermont, May 07, 2012Adult
Often found in large flocks on a variety of water bodies.
© Daniel Jauvin / Macaulay LibraryQuebec, March 25, 2017Juveniles
In addition to foraging in the water, both adults and chicks forage on land, eating grass as well as seeds, berries, waste corn, and other plant foods.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 27, 2015Not all videos have sound
Similar SpeciesCackling Goose
Adult (Aleutian)
Cackling Geese are smaller with a smaller bill and a shorter neck than Canada Goose. Cackling Geese also have a blockier head and steeper forehead than Canada Geese.
© Matt Brady / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, February 04, 2010Similar SpeciesCackling Goose
Adult (minima)
Cackling Geese tend to be smaller overall than Canada Geese with a smaller bill and shorter neck, but there is some overlap as some Canada Geese can be quite small. Some Cackling Geese have a darker breast as shown here.
© Rob O'Donnell / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 23, 2017Similar SpeciesCackling Goose
Adult (Richardson's)
Cackling Geese have a smaller bill and shorter neck than Canada Geese, but beware of smaller bodied Canada Geese and Canada Geese with the their necks drawn in giving them a short-necked appearance.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, December 30, 2016Similar SpeciesBrant
Adult (Atlantic)
Brant lack the white chin strap of Canada Goose and have smaller bill.
© Evan Lipton / Macaulay LibraryRhode Island, March 24, 2017Similar SpeciesGreater White-fronted Goose
Adult
Greater White-fronted Geese have a brown (not black) neck, a pink (not black) bill, and orange (not black) legs.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, December 13, 2010Similar SpeciesSnow Goose
Adult blue morph
Blue morph Snow Geese have a white (not black) neck and pink (not black) legs.
© Simon Boivin / Macaulay LibraryQuebec, May 07, 2017Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl(Order: Anseriformes, Family: Anatidae)
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