The Canada Goose is one of the most common waterfowl found through most of the continental U.S. and Canada. Canada Goose babies are terribly cute, just little fuzz-balls following their parents as they strengthen their swimming skills, learning how to forage and avoid predators. Parent geese teach these goslings all these skills and provide protection while they are still growing up and learning.

Did you know that these young goslings are able to swim and even dive when they are only a day or two old?

Both parent birds usually escort the young geese, one parent in front and one behind, riding ‘shotgun.’ And though they are quick to develop basic skills at a young age, they usually remain with their parents during their entire first year.

Did you know that they are properly referred to as ‘a Canada Goose’ or ‘several Canada Geese’ and never ‘Canadian Goose or Geese’? That is because a ‘Canadian’ goose is any of several goose species that can be found in Canada. This species of goose is found throughout North America and they belong to a species of goose called ‘Canada.’

Check out the photo just above–one of the young geese has turned the wrong way and the parent in the lead position has it’s beak open wide as though it might be instructing it’s wayward offspring to get back in line! At least that’s what it looks like to me.

What do you think the parent in the front is doing with it’s beak open wide?

Tagged as: Birding in the Field