Canada geese
Migration of Canada geese (Branta canadensis) from their breeding grounds in Canada and Alaska to their wintering grounds in the southern United States.
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Transcript
Loud “honking” draws attention to the flight of Canada geese during migration.
Each autumn Canada geese migrate from their breeding grounds in Alaska and Canada to a broad range of habitats to the south. Traditionally the geese traveled to wintering grounds deep in the southern United States and Mexico. However, changes in weather and land-use patterns have led some populations to shorten their migration route, adapting to a variety of environments across North America.
Still other populations have taken up permanent residence in parks, golf courses, and other human habitats around the continent.
The V-formation of migrating Canada geese is a wonder of nature to behold. Each population follows a set route with traditional stopover areas.
Canada geese are strong, swift fliers. They can cover 1,500 miles in a single day when winds are favorable.
In the spring, when the weather warms, the migrating geese return north to their breeding grounds, reversing their paths. The geese may repeat this migration year after year.
Migrating geese may take up short-term residence in refuges along their migration routes. Refuges are protected environments where wildlife will not be threatened by hunting or human development. Refuges are typically established by the government.
Humans benefit from the refuges, too. Refuges are often good for recreation. But since they attract large numbers of migrating geese, they also enable researchers to study the animals.
In this setting, geese can be captured and examined for their health. Researchers can assess the Canada goose population, and tag geese to study their migration patterns and longevity.
Each autumn Canada geese migrate from their breeding grounds in Alaska and Canada to a broad range of habitats to the south. Traditionally the geese traveled to wintering grounds deep in the southern United States and Mexico. However, changes in weather and land-use patterns have led some populations to shorten their migration route, adapting to a variety of environments across North America.
Still other populations have taken up permanent residence in parks, golf courses, and other human habitats around the continent.
The V-formation of migrating Canada geese is a wonder of nature to behold. Each population follows a set route with traditional stopover areas.
Canada geese are strong, swift fliers. They can cover 1,500 miles in a single day when winds are favorable.
In the spring, when the weather warms, the migrating geese return north to their breeding grounds, reversing their paths. The geese may repeat this migration year after year.
Migrating geese may take up short-term residence in refuges along their migration routes. Refuges are protected environments where wildlife will not be threatened by hunting or human development. Refuges are typically established by the government.
Humans benefit from the refuges, too. Refuges are often good for recreation. But since they attract large numbers of migrating geese, they also enable researchers to study the animals.
In this setting, geese can be captured and examined for their health. Researchers can assess the Canada goose population, and tag geese to study their migration patterns and longevity.