h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The Canada Goose in the UK!

There are a number of species of Canada Goose as listed below:

Here is a list of the canada geese subspecies:

Branta canadensis [canada goose]
Branta canadensis [Atlantic]
Branta interior [interior]
Branta maxima [giant]
Branta moffitti [Moffit's]
Branta parvipes [part of ‘Lesser complex’]
Branta fulva [Vancouver],
Branta occidentalis [dusky].

Collectively named Greater Canada Goose by BOURC (June 2005)

The UK bird is essentially different from the American bird, as detailed.

The Canada goose, now native in the UK, has changed it's behaviour, character, and build. Since it's introduction it has largely become non-migratory, unlike the Ansar Genus generally. It is often to be found flitting between one local park and another. To give an example, the St. James' Park residents roost at Regent's Park lake each evening, and then spend the daylight hours back at St. James' Park.

UK Canada geese are generally heavier than the nominative race, and appear less prone to flight.
This may be due to wing-clipping, causing a reduction in the desire to fly. This does need some scientific study though, and is purely an educated guess on the part of birders in general... Certainly it is rare to find a Canada goose migrating to, or even mor importantly, from Canada!

They are also far less aggressive as they have become more domesticated, and familiar with mankind, so the aggressive streak found in native birds is reduced, but not gone, in native UK birds.


Maybe that will help on the inclusion of the entry! And photos are available!

MMf

I don't like '...appears to be on 'acid'' - is there a better way of describing this? And you say it is easiest identified by its call, but don't say what its call sounds like. Apart from that, that looks great!

We need a similar introductory paragraph for the Canada goose, and if you could let me know which ssp is the UK bird that would be very helpful. I'll then leave it up to the reviewers in PR as to whether it is different enough to merit a separate Entry; if not we'll have to go the update route. Sound ok?

>>appears to be on 'acid'<<

Appears to be highly strung, and easily disturbed, with a vocal shrill kee-akk kee-akk kee-akk call, and usually uttered in flight, altyhough does call from the perch!

The UK Canada is the Branta canadensis> but has not been seperated as far as I know, although the differences mentioned above have been noted!

Thought they could be melded into an intro!

Up to you... Can't add much as I am not a member of the BTO, and so can't access info in the Ibis publications easily!

Hope that helps!

MMF

That's fine to distinguish the Entry from the other one - I've added that info in a new section. What we need though (and I promise this is the final bit) is a brief intro just like we have for the others - don't want to get technical at the top of the Entry!

If out in a public place, unlike a farm or other rural habitat, and a large, stocky bird is seen, it is likely to be either a mute swan, or a Canada goose! How do you, the novice, tell the difference? The mute swan is a graceful, large white water bird whose presennce is enjoyed by everyone, while the Canada goose is a black necked, brown backed bird that was introduced into the UK, and has taken over most waterways, and is only appreciated by a limited few!

Distinguished by it's black neck and brown back, it is common throughout the UK. It is aggressive to other waterfowl, and often to children who enjoy feeding bread and other foodstuffs to waterfowl... It is seen as both a pest, and a pleasure by the general public! This researcher leaves it up to you, the reader, to decide on your choice after reading this entry!!!

Hope that works... let me know if it doesn't!

MMF

Looks good to me - now just subscribe to F48874?thread=4415797

Scorpio, you can have the thread back now

Thanks mate....

And scorpo, thanks for being so patient with having your post hijacked!



I owe you a or two at the next Hull Meet!

And Skanks, the is on me next time we meet.. Just don't take on my next two UP's if you want to stay sane!

mate...

The sofa's yours for the next five London meets at least... unless I get a better offer!

MMF

I'm sure you'll get better offers, mate. I'm an alcoholic with terrible wind. Your sofa would reject me after the first year

The sofa won't, but I or my neighbours, might!

It is there whenever you need it, as I say, unless something else crops up!



MMF

And don't forget, you're welcome down here for a spot of birding whenever you like

Mate! I might take you up on that, as I also have an old birding mate from Tooting who lives in Boscastle, and volunteer wardens at Symon's Yat for two weeks a year, who has invited me down. I'll let you know!



MMF

Skanks,

Small selection of photos forwarded!



Make of them what you will!



MMF

Thanks for the photos, if you check the entries you'll find they're on Collared Dove; Egyptian Goose and Common Pheasant and relatives, and now I'm just going to add them to the August Hall of Fame