New Zealand Introduced Animals > Canada Geese

Canada Geese

Branta canadensis

INTRODUCED; COMMON; RESIDENT

DISTRIBUTION: A native of North America it was introduced to New Zealand in 1905 and again in 1920. It has shown little propensity to spread far beyond its original release sites. Most assemble at Lake Ellesmere and nearby Lake Forsyth, with almost all nesting taking place in the head waters of major Canterbury rivers’ such as the Clarence and the Rangitata. Generally canadian geese only visit casually elsewhere in New Zealand.

HABITAT: Open pasture adjacent to large areas of shallow water.

BREEDING: In New Zealand the breeding season begins late in September. Often far from water, nests are built of grasses and are lined with down. A clutch of 5-6 white eggs is laid and the female alone incubates them while the male acts as guard. Chicks hatch after about 30 days and are guarded fiercely by the parents but are not fed by them.

FOOD: They are generally terrestrial grazing birds, consuming grasses, clovers, cereals and similar plants. They will also forage swan-like, in shallow water.

VOICE: A gutteral trumpet of “uh-wong” the second syllable of which is high pitched. They also hiss when threatened or fighting.

GENERAL: Introduced as game bird flocks, may damage crops and foul pasture. Culling is sometimes necessary to control the damage. It is the largest of the Canadian goose sub-species.


© New Zealand Conservation Trust 2006 - 2010, 60 Hussey Rd, Harewood, Christchurch Phone: +64 3 359 6226, Fax: +64 3 359 6212, Email: info@nzconservationtrust.org.nz		Privacy \| Disclaimer \| Site Map website by digitise