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A large brown goose with a black neck and white chinstrap.
Not listed
At a glance
FamilyDucks, Geese, and Waterfowl
SizeLarge
RarityRare
HabitatWetlands, floodplains, lakes, estuaries, and slow-moving waterways.
Best timeMost reliable in New South Wales from March.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Marc Anderson
Range map
Range map
16visible hotspots
48visible records
3states
SparseModerateDense hotspot
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Overall size, bill size, and brown coloration variable across subspecies. Occurs in any open or wetland habitat, from city parks and golf courses to pristine marshes and Arctic tundra. Canada Goose is almost always larger, longer-necked, and longer-billed than Cackling, although beware there is some overlap between the smallest Canada and largest Cackling. Abundant and widespread throughout the U. S. and Canada; rare in Mexico. Introduced and widely established in Europe. Listen for loud honking calls, especially as flocks migrate overhead in the classic V formation.
Behavior
Typically in flocks or family groups. Often seen in mixed flocks with Cackling Goose, especially in central and western North America.
Gallery