Scientific Name: Branta canadensis

Residency: A winter resident in western, northern, and northeastern Arizona. Occurs in several localities, mainly in the high country, but also including a few low elevation sites such as Roosevelt Lake.

Diet: Entirely herbivorous. Eats submergent vegetation (aquatic plants), seeds, berries, grasses, sedges, winter wheat, clovers, and waste grain, especially corn. Feeds on the ground and in the water.

Predators: Humans are among the most common predators. The adults are not often preyed upon by other species, owing to their large size and aggressiveness. However, coyotes, gray wolves, Snowy Owls, Golden Eagles, and Bald Eagles have been observed taking adults. Goslings are preyed upon by gulls, foxes, and occasionally Bald Eagles. Most important egg predators are foxes (arctic and red), Herring, gulls (Glaucous, Iceland  and Glaucous-winged), and jaegers (Long-tailed and Parasitic). Less important are Common Raven, American Crow, and brown and black bears. 

Nesting: Platform-type nest, or large open cup: made of sticks, mosses, lichens, and grasses lined with down and some body feathers. Nests on the ground at edges of ponds, lakes, or swamps, on rocks or grass hammocks out in the water. Lays 2-10 creamy-white eggs. One brood per year.

Nesting Records:

Notes: The most widespread and commonly seen goose. Some birds no longer migrate during winter owing to food provided at local ponds by humans. Increased residency can be a nuisance to humans. Adults molt their primary flight feathers while raising young, rendering family groups flightless at the same time.

Photo: Photo at right was taken at the Riparian Preserve at the Gilbert Water Ranch on February 18, 2007. For more photos, click on camera icon.

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