Branta canadensis
The Canada goose was known mainly as a wilderness bird but it is now adapting to life on golf courses and city parks. Most of these flocks are permanent residents; northern wild flocks still migrate, flying in lines or V-formation. Their wild population neared extinction in the 60's when commercial fox farmers introduced Arctic Foxes onto the Aleutian Islands -- their natural habitat. By 1967 they numbered around 800 individuals. Since then their population has recovered thanks to conservation efforts.
Picture taken at Louisville zoo, in April 2001.
Genus Branta
Tribe Anserini
Subfamily Anserinae
Family Anatidae
Order Anseriformes
Class Aves
Subphylum Vertebrata
Phylum Chordata
Kingdom Animalia
Life on Earth
Index