Canada Goose

Canada goose pairs begin nesting in the spring by building a large, slightly elevated nest of grasses and down feathers that is typically located near water. Each nest can contain between 8 and 9 eggs, and the incubation period can vary but is generally around 28 days. 

Upon hatching, young Canada geese, also called goslings, are covered in yellow down and already have their eyes open. Goslings are precocial, which means they can leave the nest with their parents at a day or two old and are already capable of walking, swimming and feeding on their own.

It is common for Canada geese and their goslings to use open, mowed spaces near water, such as parks, which allows the adults to spot predators from afar. Goslings stay close to both of their parents and begin to learn how to fly after about two months. Often, young Canada geese stay with their parents throughout the summer and migrate together in the fall.