CANADA GOOSE 

 (Branta canadensis) 



[DA: Kanadagas, DU: Canadese Gans, FI: Kanadan hanhi , FR: Bernache du Canada, 

 GE: Kanadagans, IT: Oca del Canada, JA: Shljukara gan, NW: Canadgas , PO : Bern- 

 lkla kanadyjska, SP: Barnacla canadiense, SW: Kanadagas] 



GENERAL DISTRIBUTION 



The Canada Goose is a widespread and abundant breeding bird across Canada 

 and the northern United States. Its historical breeding range has been altered 

 by the virtual extinction of some populations, notably in the north-central 

 states, and the establishment or re-establishment of other populations. The 

 total population has increased greatly in recent decades, and Bellrose (1976) 

 estimated about 3 million birds at the beginning of the 1974 hunting season. 

 In winter the Canada Goose is found almost throughout the United States in suit- 

 able habitat. Management practices in recent years, particularly winter feed- 

 ing and the development of artificial impoundments, have resulted in more birds 

 wintering in northerly areas and fewer birds in the southern part of the range. 

 Well-defined migration corridors are used by various subpopulations , but the 

 species may occur almost anywhere in North America during migration. 



This goose is common in winter in the coastal southeastern United States, 

 with some birds remaining to breed in the summer months. About 68,000 wintered 

 in coastal North Carolina in the 1970-75 period (Bellrose 1976). Another 10,500 

 wintered on the South Carolina coast, 23,000 wintered in Alabama, and 40,000 

 wintered in coastal Texas marshes (Bellrose 1976). Smaller numbers were pre- 

 sent in other southeastern states (Map 5). Numbers in the south were generally 

 smaller than in past decades. 



SUSCEPTIBILITY TO OIL POLLUTION 



The Canada Goose is susceptible to oil pollution. An estimated 300 died 

 following two oil spills in the Chesapeake Bay in 1976 and 1978 (Perry et al . 

 1979). The Bird Banding Laboratory has received slightly over 20 bands returned 

 from birds found oiled, including one from Texas. However, the bird's decreas- 

 ing abundance in the southeastern states, in addition to its inland, fresh water 

 or coastal marsh habitat suggest that oil contamination in this area would have 

 little effect on the overall population. 



BIBLIOGRAPHY 



1981 



Bellrose, F. C. and R. C. Crompton. 1981. Migration speeds of three water- 

 fowl species. Wilson Bull. 93: 121-124. 



94 



