Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined

A regulatory pair of Canada and Cackling Geese; the sample is Canada Goose.

Field guide

A regulatory pair of Canada and Cackling Geese; the sample is Canada Goose.

Identification

Shared features

Both have black necks and white chin straps; size and bill proportions help separate them.

Male

Representative Canada goose: both sexes have a black head and neck, white chin strap and brown body. Ganders average larger with a thicker neck, but size overlaps, especially against cackling geese.

Female

Representative Canada goose females have the same black-and-white head pattern. A single goose cannot be reliably sexed by plumage; identify Canada versus cackling goose separately by size, bill and proportions.

Habitat

Lakes, marshes, rivers, grass and harvested fields during migration.

Where to look during the day

Morning

At dawn, watch flights from water roosts to feeding fields.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, scan open water and grassland where flocks feed or rest.

Evening

At dusk, listen for returning flocks over wetlands and lakes.

Sounds

Canada Geese give loud honks; Cackling Geese usually sound higher and more clipped.

Recorded calls

Canada goose (representative)

Field recording of a Canada goose, representing this regulatory group. A narrower call type or the caller's sex is not assigned to this clip.

Jonathon Jongsma · Recording source

Natural history source: Read the source

Bag limits

Bag and possession summaries.

Daily: 10Possession: no limit

Official bag-limit source

Daily: 5Possession: no limit

Official bag-limit source