Canada goose

“Canada Geese were introduced to New Zealand from the United States as a gift from US President Theodore Roosevelt, where they are still the most familiar geese in Alaska and across North America. They are classified into over 15 subspecies varying in size and shading. The giant Canada goose, maxima was introduced into New Zealand although other sub species, tavernii and canadensis may have mixed with it.

“Here in New Zealand, there are now so many of them they are sometimes regarded as a pest.”

Taxonomy
Kingdom:
Animalia.
Phylum:
Chordata.
Class:
Aves.
Order:
Anseriformes.
Family:
Anatidae.
Genera:
Branta.
Species:
canadensis.
Sub Species:
maxima.

Other common names:  — 

honker

Description:  — 

Introduced bird

83 cm; male, 5.4 kg, female, 4.5 kg; brown goose with pale brown and white barring underneath, black head and neck with white patch on face.

Where to find:  — 

In the North Island mostly on coastal lakes; South Island, high country lakes and rivers, Lake Ellesmere.

Youtube video  — 

»»»  Canada goose

Credit for the photograph: — 

Illustration description: — 

 

Audubon, John James, Birds of America, 1840-44.

Reference(s): — 

Reference(s): — 

 

Oliver, W.R.B. New Zealand Birds, 1955.

Heather, B., & Robertson, H., Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand, 2000.

Page date & version: — 

 

Saturday, 17 May, 2014; ver2009v1

 
 
 

©  2005    Narena Olliver,    new zealand birds limited,     Greytown, New Zealand.