Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Family: Anatidae

Origin: North America

A pair of Canada geese chilling on a lake.
Canadian geese are light-brown with black necks and head and a contrasting white chinstrap. They can be aggressive towards native birds.

Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP) status

  • Aotea — Exclusion
  • Whole region — Sustained control
  • Hauraki Gulf Controlled Area Notice pest

View more about the RPMP statuses

General description

Large (4.5-5.5 kg) light brown bird with black head, neck, bill, legs and feet, and a white chinstrap.

What you need to know

To help protect our environment:

  • You must not breed, distribute, release or sell any Canada goose within the Auckland region.

Habitats

Pasture, lake and pond margins, water reservoirs, golf courses.

Impact on environment

A risk to human safety, causing airstrike with planes. Can be very aggressive towards other birds, leading to displacement and mortality. Grazes pastures, contaminates water bodies, pasture and crops with faecal pathogens.

Control

Management

If you see a Canada goose on Aotea/Great Barrier Island group, please report it to Auckland Council at pestfree@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

A line of Canada geese making their way across the lake.
Canada geese were introduced as a game bird into New Zealand in 1905.