Canada geese
signal spring and autumn by the direction of their flight.
Native to Canada and Alaska, the Canada goose (Branta canadensis) migrates south in the winter to escape harsh weather. Usually traveling in large flocks, the geese fly south in the fall and end up in Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee during deep winter. They often make an extended stop in Wisconsin, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Timing
Canada geese select a suitable place to breed and raise their young in north-central Canada in the late spring, and begin migrating south in late September.
Flight Formation
Canada geese fly in a "V" formation, with each bird slightly off to an angle, to create a slipstream and minimize drag, for easier flying.
Flyways
Four main flyways--the predictable routes geese use each year to travel, feed and rest--exist within North America, reports the U.S. Geological Survey.
Flight Facts
According to Canada Geese New Jersey, Canada geese travel up to 70 mph and fly as high as 9,000 feet. Often taking shorter flights to feed and rest, they can fly up to 16 hours nonstop.
Recent Changes
Wildlife biologists with Ducks Unlimited note a shift in traditional migration patterns: Some Canada geese now stay closer to their breeding grounds, creating "resident" populations.
Tags: Canada geese
