#geese #goose #canadiangeese
The Canada goose (Branta canadensis) is one of the largest members of the Anatidae (waterfowl) family. Canada geese have a large degree of variation in size, travel habits, and location. The subspecies most recognized as a resident in Indiana is the Maxima or “giant” Canada goose (Branta canadensis maxima). However, seven subspecies of greater Canada geese exist in North America ranging in weight from approximately 3 to 24 pounds. Several different subspecies of Canada geese migrate through Indiana in spring and fall.
Adult Canada geese begin “pairing up” for nesting at three years of age though a few individuals begin this process at age two. Pairs usually stay together for life. If one member of a pair dies, the other goose usually finds another mate within the same breeding season. In Indiana, resident Canada geese begin “pairing up” for nesting in mid to late February. Nesting activities begin from mid March through late April.
Once nesting has begun, the male and female will both defend the nest. The female lays eggs about every 1.5 days. Once the eggs are laid, the incubation process begins. The eggs are incubated for 28 days. The average clutch size is 5 eggs though 2-12 eggs is possible. The nest size can range from 12-40” in diameter. It is usually constructed in a bowl shape of grass materials and feathers from the female’s breast. All of the eggs are hatched at the same time so that the adults can lead the goslings away from the nest. If the nest is destroyed, the pair will generally begin re-nesting at or very near the original nesting site. Canada geese have a greater tendency to re-nest if the original nest is destroyed earlier in the nesting cycle.

Both adults, especially the male, vigorously defend their broods for approximately 10-12 weeks after the goslings hatch from the eggs. This defense behavior diminishes as the goslings grow older and are capable of flight.
Canada geese are grazers, chiefly vegetarian though fish or insect matter is reported in trace Geese Feedingamounts as part of a Canada goose’s diet, and consume many types of grains, grasses, seeds, sedges and other aquatic vegetation, legumes, succulents and their vegetative structures. Canada geese can often be seen in waste grain areas, i.e. corn, wheat, soybean fields, feeding in mornings and late afternoons.
All birds go through a molting period each year to replace damaged, lost, or deteriorated feathers. Waterfowl go through a second molt each year. During the second molt, waterfowl go through a complete molt and replace all flight feathers. Adult Canada geese undergo this complete molt during the summer months. This typically takes place in late June and early July in Indiana. This complete molt usually takes about one month for each individual bird. Non-breeding yearlings, adults that don’t nest, and adults whose nests have been destroyed are usually the first to molt. Adults with young will molt at the brood rearing area shortly after the non-breeding geese initiate their molt.

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