Good Morning and Happy Easter!

I will be talking about one of the best birds I love to photograph, hear, and get to witness on a daily basis. Today I will be talking about the Canadian Goose and why it has such the nickname of The Cobra Chicken. I have had experience the reason you call it the Cobra Chicken.

The Canadian Goose Defends

The Canadian Goose can be a feisty bird and it is not afraid to defend the ones it loves and its own self. An American Bald Eagle had discovered that quite recently when it tried to attack a Canadian Goose. The story is quite remarkable and I do suggest when you have a chance to go and read it. A fellow Canadian wildlife photographer got to witness the battle between the Bald Eagle and the Canadian Goose. It is a rare once in a life time battle to witness.

https://globalnews.ca/news/11067871/canada-goose-bald-eagle-lake-ontario-photos/

Facts About The Goose

The Canada Goose is affectionately dubbed the "Cobra Chicken" due to its defensive behaviour, particularly when it feels threatened. When provoked, these geese can raise their necks and stretch their heads forward, mimicking the striking pose of a cobra. This posture, combined with their aggressive protective instincts, particularly during nesting season, leads to the playful nickname. Observers often note their boldness in confronting perceived threats, making them formidable guardians of their territory, just as a cobra would defend itself. The nickname reflects both the humour and admiration Canadians have for this resourceful bird.

Facts

Canadian geese typically mate for life, forming strong pair bonds that can last for several years or even for life.

The mating season for Canadian geese usually begins in late winter to early spring, depending on the region and climate.
During courtship, male geese display a range of behaviours, such as bowing, honking, and flapping their wings to attract females.
Once a pair has formed, they will often engage in mutual preening, which helps strengthen their bond.
Females are responsible for nesting and will usually lay between three to eight eggs, depending on their age and health.
Geese typically choose nest sites near water, often hiding their nests in tall grasses or shrubs to protect against predators.
After mating, it takes about 28 to 30 days for the eggs to hatch.
Both parents share the responsibility of protecting the young goslings after they hatch, ensuring their safety from potential threats.
Canadian geese are known for their strong parenting skills; parents will lead their goslings to water soon after hatching, teaching them essential survival skills.
In some cases, Canadian geese may exhibit aggressive behaviour to defend their nests and young from intruders.

Title: In Sunday Morning
Location: Beaumaris Lake, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Year: 2025

The Canada Goose is known for its impressive wingspan, which typically ranges from 1.5 to 1.8 meters (5 to 6 feet). This considerable wingspan allows the bird to soar gracefully and navigate vast distances during migration.

Size Variation: The wingspan can vary depending on the subspecies of Canada Goose. Larger varieties, such as the Greater Canada Goose, tend to have a broader wingspan compared to smaller breeds.
Wing Structure: The wings are long and broad, which facilitates efficient flight. This wing structure enables them to glide on thermal updrafts, conserving energy during lengthy migrations.
Flight Speed: Canada Geese can reach speeds of up to 80 km/h (50 mph) in flight, aided by their expansive wings, which help them cover significant distances.
Visual Recognition: The large wingspan is not only functional but also plays a role in visual displays during mating rituals and territorial behaviours, making them easily recognisable.
Social Behaviour: When flying in formation, Canada Geese often adopt a V-shape, utilising the aerodynamic benefits of each other's wings, allowing them to conserve energy during migration.

Understanding the wingspan of Canada Geese gives insight into their behaviour and adaptation to their environment, showcasing the remarkable capabilities of these iconic birds.

Title: A Morning Glide
Location: Beaumaris Lake, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Year: 2025

Canada Geese exhibit a range of colours primarily due to their plumage and the influence of their habitat.

Core Colours: The most common colours seen on Canada Geese include black, white, and shades of brown. The adult's head and neck are typically glossy black, while the face features a distinct white chinstrap.
Body Plumage: The body exhibits a variety of brown tones, ranging from rich chestnut to lighter, sandy hues. The contrast of these browns with the black and white of the head creates a striking appearance.
Juvenile Plumage: Young Canada Geese, or goslings, have a softer and downy yellow-grey plumage. This colouration helps them blend in with their natural surroundings, providing better camouflage from predators.
Seasonal Changes: During the moulting season, geese may appear more muted or scruffy as they shed old feathers. This process can sometimes make their colours seem less vibrant temporarily.
Environmental Variation: Factors such as location and diet can influence slight variations in plumage. Geese living in urban areas may exhibit different shades due to their adapted behaviours and surroundings.
Subspecies Differences: There are several subspecies of Canada Geese, each with slight variations in colouration. Some may have more distinct markings or colour patterns based on their geographic region and breeding behaviours.

Understanding these colour variations enhances appreciation for the Canada Goose's adaptability and beauty in nature.

Title: Eye of The Goose
Location: Beaumaris Lake, Edmonton, Alberta
Year: 2025

The Canada Goose typically has a lifespan of 10 to 25 years in the wild, although their lifespan can be influenced by various factors such as predation, food availability, and environmental conditions. In protected settings, like parks or wildlife reserves, they may live longer due to the reduced risks associated with predators and human disturbances. The oldest recorded Canada Goose reached an impressive age of over 30 years.

These geese are known for their strong pair bonds, often staying with a mate for life, which can also contribute to their longevity as they work together to raise their young and protect their territory.

Canada Geese possess impressive memory capabilities, particularly when it comes to navigation and social interactions. These birds are known to migrate thousands of kilometres seasonally, relying on their ability to remember specific routes, landmarks, and locations of food sources. Research has shown that their memory plays a crucial role in recalling these important aspects, enabling them to travel effectively and efficiently.

Additionally, Canada Geese have strong social memory, allowing them to recognise individual companions and establish long-term bonds within their flocks. This memory aids in their ability to maintain communication and social structures, which is vital for their survival.

Overall, the memory of Canada Geese enhances their adaptability and success in various environments, making them remarkable creatures of the Canadian wilderness and beyond.

Canada Geese, known for their aggressive protection of their territory and young, may indeed exhibit what could be interpreted as holding grudges. While they may not possess the cognitive ability to hold grudges in the same way humans do, their behaviour can reflect a form of memory and learned response.

When a specific individual poses a threat, such as a human or another animal encroaching on their nesting area, Canada Geese can remember this interaction. In subsequent encounters, they may react aggressively towards that individual, suggesting a form of associative memory. This behaviour is crucial for their survival, as it helps them protect their nesting sites and goslings from potential threats.

Moreover, geese are known to form strong social bonds within their flocks and may react negatively to changes in their group dynamics, such as the absence of a familiar mate or the presence of an "intruder." This could easily be perceived as a form of resentment towards certain individuals.

In conclusion, while Canada Geese may not "hold grudges" in the human sense, their responses to past interactions can seem similar, showcasing their intelligence and adaptability in navigating their environment.

Title: Same Minds
Location: Beaumaris Lake, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Year: 2025

My Short Story

I know Canadian Geese are quick to react when they come to defending their nests and their own. I learned this at a young age when I was still in Elementary School. One night I was out for a bike ride with my mum and we were going around our local Fish And Game Pond in our town. I had a little Point And Shoot camera with me, if I recall it was a Canon, and I saw some Geese in the water. I got off my bike and went a little closer to get a picture, not knowing I was trespassing what they deemed as their territory. I took one picture and this one goose came chasing out of the water towards me. Now it did not attack once I was a safe distance away but the next day, when I was on the playground at school, a couple geese flew over. As they flew over, one looked down at me. I have this feeling even now that it was the same goose from the night before. I learned lots that day.

I was getting close to a nest I could not see.
I learned a whole new respect for wildlife.
. You do not mess with the Cobra Chicken.

Now why did I tell that short story? It is because it goes well with this next image. When I was at Beaumaris Lake planning out a Photography Walk for May Is Photo Month with my company, a photography scavenger hunt, I saw this one Goose who had a hole in its plumage on its head. I do not know what made this hole but clearly the goose had won a battle. If it had lost, I don’t think I would have seen it that day. I like to believe that the battle was between two geese, if not another bird as it seemed that this wound was strategically made. Now it would be cool if it were the same goose that battled the Bald Eagle on Lake Ontario but I much doubt it was. I would love to know this Goose’s story. I’ll have to leave it to the imagination.

Before I bid you a farewell, I want to wish you and your family a great and Happy Easter. Do not forget to sign-up for my free Newsletter so you don’t miss out on news and great sales on my photography.

Tschüss!

Canadian Geese - The Cobra Chicken

The Canadian Goose Defends

Facts About The Goose

Facts

My Short Story

Do You Believe What You See?

Play With The Light