Canada geese are a common sight across much of Canada and the northern United States. There are several subspecies of Canada goose, with some more widespread and numerous than others. Determining which subspecies is the “most popular” can be defined in different ways – by total population, breeding range, or frequency of sightings. In this article, we will explore the major subspecies of Canada goose and look at evidence for which may be considered the most prevalent.
What are the major subspecies of Canada goose?
There are 11 recognized subspecies of Canada goose found across North America. The major groups include:
Atlantic Canada Goose
The Atlantic Canada goose (Branta canadensis canadensis) is found along the Atlantic flyway from Labrador and the Maritime provinces down to Connecticut. It is a large subspecies, with males averaging over 11 lbs. These geese breed in Labrador and Canada’s eastern Arctic islands and winter predominantly in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. Population estimates place them at well over 1 million birds.
Interior Canada Goose
The interior Canada goose (B.c. interior) inhabits the interior parts of Canada and the central United States. They breed from central Alberta east to Ontario and south to Iowa. They are a mid-sized subspecies, with males weighing 9-10 lbs on average. Their wintering grounds reach from Texas through Tennessee. Populations recovered to an estimated 1.1 million after over-hunting in previous decades.
Giant Canada Goose
The giant Canada goose (B.c. maxima) is the largest subspecies, with males averaging over 13 lbs. They are found year-round in the Great Lakes region, breeding in Ontario, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Their populations exploded in the last half of the 1900s, likely due to reintroduction efforts and lack of hunting. Current estimates place them at well over 1 million birds.
Western Canada Goose
The western Canada goose (B.c. moffitti) is a small to mid-sized subspecies found along the Pacific Flyway from Alaska to California. They breed throughout Alaska and northwestern Canada and winter predominantly in California. Their populations rebounded to an estimated 500,000+ birds in recent decades after over-hunting depressed their numbers.
Lesser Canada Goose
The lesser Canada goose (B.c. parvipes) is a very small subspecies native to the coastal regions of Alaska. They undergo an extensive migration to winter along the Pacific coast from British Columbia down into central California. Total populations number around 300,000 birds.
Cackling Goose
The cackling goose (B.c. minima) is a close relative of the Canada goose, recently split into a separate species. It is a very small goose, under 4.5 lbs, native to Alaska and northwestern Canada. There are estimated to be around 200,000 total cackling geese, which winter in large concentrations in California and Oregon.
Range and Population
When looking at overall range and total populations, the giant Canada goose and Atlantic Canada goose stand out as the most numerous subspecies. Both have rebounded from historical over-hunting and now have stable populations estimated between 1-1.5 million birds each. They have also expanded their ranges the furthest south into the continental United States, taking advantage of urban and suburban environments. The giant Canada goose is now found year-round across the entire Great Lakes region, while the Atlantic Canada goose winters as far south as North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee.
The interior subspecies has a population nearly as high as the giant and Atlantic, however it has a more northerly winter range predominantly in the central U.S. The western Canada goose has smaller overall numbers but is steadily increasing and expanding its coastal range down the Pacific coast. Finally, the cackling goose and lesser Canada goose have more restricted Arctic and subarctic ranges and likely will not exceed populations of more than 300,000 each.
Backyard Popularity
When looking at the visibility and recognition of Canada geese by the general public in backyards and parks, the giant Canada goose likely stands out as the most familiar subspecies. This is a function of both their large size and their adaptation to living around humans. Most major cities and suburbs within the breeding or wintering range of giant Canada geese now have resident flocks. They can be seen walking golf courses, city parks, soccer fields, retention ponds, and anywhere with a bit of mowed grass and open water. Their large size and recognizable black heads and necks make them easy to identify by the average person.
By comparison, most of the migrant subspecies of Canada goose are only seen briefly during their migration periods in urban and suburban areas. The Atlantic, interior, western, cackling, and lesser subspecies are more likely to stage and migrate through rural agricultural fields than city parks and backyards. For most Americans without exposure to the northern breeding grounds, giant Canada geese are the subspecies they recognize and interact with most frequently.
Hunting Popularity
When looking at hunting, harvest data can provide good insight into which subspecies are most frequently targeted. In the Atlantic flyway, over 60% of the total Canada goose harvest consists of Atlantic population (AP) geese according to USFWS surveys. Most of these are harvested in the Chesapeake Bay region during winter. For the Mississippi and Central flyways, interior Canada geese contribute approximately 70% of the total harvest.
In the Pacific Flyway, western Canada geese make up the majority of the harvest, followed by lesser Canadas and cackling geese. The harvest of giant Canada geese has declined in recent decades as many urban populations are now protected. Overall, the combination of Atlantic and interior geese likely contributes the most to total Canada goose hunting harvests due to their large population sizes and migration patterns that expose them to hunters.
Resident Populations
When looking specifically at resident, non-migratory Canada goose populations, the giant Canada goose far exceeds the other subspecies. As mentioned earlier, giant Canada geese have adapted extremely well to living year-round alongside humans. They take advantage of a lack of hunting pressure and plentiful suburban environments of mowed grass, sports fields, golf courses, and retention ponds that provide ideal habitat.
It is estimated over 1 million giant Canada geese no longer migrate and instead live in urban/suburban areas. No other subspecies exhibits this behavior to the same degree. Some Atlantic Canada geese have established small resident populations, but the vast majority continue to migrate annually. For a non-migratory lifestyle, the giant Canada goose is unmatched in its urban and suburban abundance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when looking at the total evidence, the giant Canada goose can make a strong claim as the most popular and prevalent subspecies of Canada goose. While the Atlantic Canada goose has a similarly large overall population, it lacks the widespread urban and suburban presence of giant Canada geese. Giants have successfully adapted to living around humans and are now common sights in backyards, parks, and open spaces across much of the upper Midwest. For the average American, the giant Canada goose is likely the subspecies they have the most familiarity and interaction with on a regular basis. Their large resident populations ensure widespread recognition across the Great Lakes region. While other subspecies maintain higher overall populations and are more important to hunters, if popularity is measured by visibility and cultural awareness, the giant Canada goose stands out as potentially the most popular of its kind.
Subspecies | Population | Range | Urban/Suburban Presence |
---|---|---|---|
Giant Canada Goose | 1+ million | Great Lakes year-round | High |
Atlantic Canada Goose | 1-1.5 million | East Coast flyway | Low |
Interior Canada Goose | 1.1 million | Central flyway | Low |
Western Canada Goose | 500,000 | Pacific flyway | Low |
Cackling Goose | 200,000 | Alaska and NW Canada | Low |
Lesser Canada Goose | 300,000 | Alaska and Yukon | Low |
Key Takeaways
- Giant Canada goose has the largest resident urban/suburban populations of any subspecies, leading to greater visibility and interaction with humans
- Atlantic and interior Canada geese have larger overall populations important for hunting
- Giant, Atlantic, and interior subspecies all have populations of over 1 million
- Western, cackling, and lesser have much smaller populations under 500,000
- For an average person in the Upper Midwest, giant Canada geese are the subspecies most commonly encountered on a daily basis
In determining the most “popular” Canada goose, the giant subspecies has adapted remarkably well to living in human-altered environments. Their large size, year-round residence, and lack of migration make them a ubiquitous sight across much of their range. They are likely the most recognized and interacted with by the general public on a frequent basis, even if other subspecies maintain higher overall populations or contribute more to hunting. Considering criteria beyond just total numbers, the giant Canada can make a strong claim as the most popular of its iconic species.