Invasion history: Branta canadensis, Canada Goose
Origin
Canada geese are very widely distributed across their native range in North America, from Alaska to West Greenland southwards across Canada and the USA. They are winter visitors to southern-most USA and northern Mexico, and vagrants to Central America, the Caribbean, western Europe and eastern Asia.
First Record
Canada geese were first introduced to St James’s Park in London in 1665 (or earlier), beginning a fashion for wealthy landowners to import this species as an ornament to park lakes. They have been established since at least 1731.
Pathway and Method
New importation from North America, and translocations within GB, were the main sources of Canada geese in GB for more than 200 years. Since then, there has been a slow natural spread, aided by further translocations, which has accelerated greatly in recent decades.
Species Status
As recently as 1953 there were fewer than 4000 birds in GB, in isolated groups. But by the late 1980s there were more than 50,000. The GB population increased at a rate estimated at 9.3% per annum between 1988–91 and 2000, with no sign of the rate of increase slowing, raising the population to around 89,000. Further non-native populations are scattered across Europe from Ireland to Finland and the Ukraine, and are found also in New Zealand.
References & Links: Branta canadensis, Canada Goose
Identification
Svensson, L., Mullarney, K. & Zetterström, D. (2010) Collins Bird Guide. Second edition. HarperCollins, London.
NNSS ID sheet
BTO bird facts
BTO bird trends
RSPB fact sheet
BirdLife International fact sheet
Biology, ecology, spread, vectors
Austin, G.E, Rehfisch, M.M., Allan, J.R. & Holloway, S.J. (2007) Population size and differential population growth of introduced Greater Canada Geese Branta canadensis and re-established Greylag Geese Anser anser across habitats in Great Britain in the year 2000. Bird Study, 54, 343–352. Abstract
Balmer, D.E., Gillings, S., Caffrey, B.J., Swann, R.L., Downie, I.S. & Fuller, R.J. (eds) (2013) Bird Atlas 2007–11: the breeding and wintering birds of Britain and Ireland. BTO Books, Thetford.
Lessells, C.M. (1985) Natal and breeding dispersal of Canada geese Branta canadensis. Ibis, 127, 31–41.
Rehfisch, M.M, Austin, G.E., Holloway, S.J., Allan, J.R. & O’Connell, M.<span class="field-content"> (2002) An approach to the assessment of change in the numbers of Canada Geese Branta canadensis and Greylag Geese Anser anser in southern Britain. <span class="field-content">Bird Study, <span class="field-content">49, <span class="field-content">50–59.
Management and impact
Allan, J.R. (1999) The management of problems caused by Canada Geese: a guide to best practice. DETR, Bristol.
Allan, J.R., Kirby, J.S. & Feare, C.J. (1995) The biology of Canada geese Branta canadensis in relation to the management of feral populations. Wildlife Biology, 1, 129–143.
Baker, S.J., Feare, C.J., Wilson, C.J., Malam, D.S. & Sellars, G.R. (1993) Prevention of breeding of Canada geese by coating eggs with liquid paraffin. International Journal of Pest Management, 39, 246–249.
Banks, A.N., Wright, L.J., Maclean, I.M.D., Hann, C., Mellan, H.J. & Rehfisch, M.M. (2009) Review of the status of introduced non-native waterbird species in the area of African–Eurasian Waterbird Agreement: 2007 update. Research Report 489. BTO, Thetford.
Baxter, A.T. & Robinson, A.P. (2007) Monitoring and influencing feral Canada goose (Branta canadensis) behaviour to reduce birdstrike risks to aircraft. International Journal of Pest Management, 53, 341–346.
Bönner, B.M., Lutz, W., Jäger, S., Redmann, T., Reinhardt, B., Reichel, U., Krajewski, V., Weiss, R., Wissing, J., Knickmeier, W., Gerlich, W.H., Wend, U.C. & Kaleta, E,F. (2004) Do Canada geese (Branta canadensis Linnaeus, 1758) carry infectious agents for birds and man? European Journal of Wildlife Research, 50, 78–84.
Castelli, P.M. & Sleggs, S.E. (2000) Efficacy of border collies to control nuisance Canada geese. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 28, 385–392.
Conover, M.R. (1991) Herbivory by Canada geese: diet selection and effect on lawns. Ecological Applications, 1, 231–236.
Converse, K.A. & Kennelly, J.J. (1994) Evaluation of Canada goose sterilization for population control. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 22, 265–269.
Cummings, J.L., Otis, D.L. & Davis Jr, J.E. (1992) Dimethyl and methyl anthranilate and methiocarb deter feeding in captive Canada geese and mallards. Journal of Wildlife Management, 56, 349–355.
Eriksson, M.O.G. & Lindberg, P. (2000) Do Canada Geese Branta canadensis affect the breeding result of Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata and Black-throated Diver G. arctica? Ornis Svecica, 10, 85–94.
Flegler Jr, E.J., Prince, H.H. & Johnson, W.C. (1987) Effects of grazing by Canada geese on winter wheat yield. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 15, 402–405.
Kassa, H., Harrington, B.J. & Bisesi, M.S. (2004) Cryptosporidiosis: a brief literature review and update regarding Cryptosporidium in feces of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis). Journal of Environmental Health, 66, 34–39.
Kirby, J.S., Haines, W.G. & Austin, G.E. (1999) Translocation of Canada Geese Branta canadensis in Great Britain. Ringing & Migration, 19, 261–271.
Rehfisch, M.M., Allan, J.R. & Austin, G.E. (2010) The effect on the environment of Great Britain’s naturalized Greater Canada Branta canadensis and Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiacus. BOU Proceedings – The Impacts of Non-native Species. full text
Unckless, R.L. & Makarewicz, J.C. (2007) The impact of nutrient loading from Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) on water quality, a mesocosm approach. Hydrobiologia, 586, 393–401.
York, D.L., Engeman, R.M., Cummings, J.L., Rossi, C.L. & Sinnett, D.R. (2001) A review of the hazards and mitigation for airstrikes from Canada geese in the Anchorage, Alaska bowl. Integrated Pest Management Reviews, 6, 47–57.
General
Hinterland Who's Who
Dickson, K.M. (ed) (2000) Towards conservation of the diversity of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis). Occasional Paper No. 103. Canadian Wildlife Service, Ottawa.
Lever, C. (2009) The Naturalized Animals of Britain and Ireland. New Holland Publishers, London.
Mowbray, T.B., Ely, C.R., Sedinger, J.S. & Trost, R.E. (2002) Canada Goose (Branta canadensis). In The birds of North America, no. 682 (eds A. Poole & F. Gill). The birds of North America Inc., Philadelphia, PA.