Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) is in the Ducks, Geese, and Swans family (Anatidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 310,371 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Canada Goose: observations by month (U.S.)
About Canada Goose
The Canada goose (Branta canadensis) is a large wild goose species with a black head and neck, white cheeks, white under its chin, and a brown body. Native to arctic and temperate regions of North America, its migration occasionally reaches northern Europe. It has been introduced to the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, and the Falkland Islands. Like most geese, the Canada goose is primarily herbivorous and normally migratory; it tends to be found on...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Canada Goose by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 51,365 | April | Nov–Jul |
| New York | 19,936 | April | Feb–Oct |
| Illinois | 16,416 | April | Feb–Jun |
| Massachusetts | 15,996 | April | Feb–Jun |
| Ohio | 15,091 | April | Feb–Jun |
| Washington | 12,753 | April | Mar–Jul |
| Pennsylvania | 12,402 | April | Feb–Jul |
| Maryland | 12,376 | April | Dec–Jun |
| Virginia | 11,993 | April | Feb–May |
| Texas | 11,357 | April | Jan–May |
| New Jersey | 10,240 | April | Sep–Jul |
| North Carolina | 8,670 | April | Jan–May |
| Michigan | 8,348 | April | Mar–Jul |
| Minnesota | 8,138 | April | Mar–Jun |
| Colorado | 8,073 | April | Nov–Jul |
| Oregon | 8,072 | April | Feb–Jul |
| Wisconsin | 7,062 | May | Mar–Jun |
| Tennessee | 4,755 | April | Feb–May |
| Georgia | 4,698 | April | Feb–May |
| Indiana | 3,833 | April | Mar–May |
| Utah | 3,796 | April | Mar–May |
| Oklahoma | 3,555 | April | Feb–May |
| Idaho | 3,486 | April | Feb–May |
| South Carolina | 3,438 | April | Mar–Feb |
| Vermont | 3,436 | May | Mar–May |
| Missouri | 3,122 | April | Feb–May |
| Alabama | 2,674 | April | Jan–May |
| Nevada | 2,593 | April | Sep–Jul |
| Iowa | 2,289 | April | Mar–May |
| Connecticut | 2,279 | May | Dec–Aug |
| Florida | 2,103 | April | Jan–Jun |
| New Mexico | 2,044 | April | Apr–May |
| Arizona | 1,930 | April | Dec–May |
| Arkansas | 1,699 | April | Feb–Jun |
| Wyoming | 1,678 | July | Apr–Sep |
| West Virginia | 1,664 | April | Dec–May |
| Kansas | 1,644 | April | Feb–Jun |
| Kentucky | 1,590 | April | Feb–May |
| Louisiana | 1,585 | April | Mar–May |
| Maine | 1,569 | May | Mar–Oct |
| Nebraska | 1,474 | May | Apr–May |
| Delaware | 1,412 | May | Jan–Jul |
| Montana | 1,291 | May | Mar–Jul |
| New Hampshire | 1,243 | May | Mar–Aug |
| District of Columbia | 1,037 | May | Dec–Jul |
| Rhode Island | 1,008 | April | Dec–Aug |
| Alaska | 1,000 | June | Apr–Aug |
| South Dakota | 879 | April | Mar–Jul |
| Mississippi | 832 | April | Jan–May |
| North Dakota | 441 | April | Mar–May |
| Hawaii | 6 | February | Feb–Feb |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Ducks, Geese, and Swans)
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Canada Goose?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from February to June.
Where is Canada Goose most often seen?
The most observations come from California, New York, Illinois.