bernache du Canada Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon

The Canada goose originates from North America and was brought to Europe as an ornamental waterfowl in the 17th century. It is noticeably larger than the native greylag and ranks as the largest free-living goose species in Central Europe. Identifying features include the black head and neck with the white chin strap that extends behind the eyes, a brownish back and a pale breast.

As a neozoon, the Canada goose has been an established breeding bird in Germany since the 1970s. It inhabits standing waters, estuaries, damp meadows, parks and marshland and shows a striking tolerance of human presence, which allows it to colonise urban lakes and parkland with heavy recreational use. Outside the breeding season, flocks frequently move onto farmland and graze on grasses, grain, maize and rapeseed. On soft, wet soils the grubbing and trampling can reduce yields, while in urban parks the droppings on paths and lawns and the nutrient enrichment of ponds create conflicts with visitors. During the breeding season, the geese can also be territorial and displace other waterbirds from nesting habitat.

In Germany, the Canada goose is classified as game. Common hunting methods include the stand hunt (Ansitz) at roost waters and feeding fields, the flight hunt along the flight lines between roosting and feeding sites, and decoy hunting (Lockjagd) using goose decoy spreads supported by call imitations. Because the species has excellent eyesight and hearing, hunters need careful concealment, attention to wind and light and accurate identification before the shot. Areas close to housing, paths and recreational sites usually remain unhunted for safety reasons.