The Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) is among the most under-appreciated waterfowl in my area (extreme west end of Lake Ontario’s north shore). By the early 20th century, over-hunting and loss of habitat had brought this bird to the brink of extinction in its native range. The Giant Canada Goose subspecies, in fact, was believed to be extinct in the 1950s until a small flock was discovered wintering in Rochester, Minnesota in 1962.
Fortunately, their populations have recovered in most of their range. For many, however, their increasing numbers are mixed blessings at best. I like this bird a lot and happily put up with the minor inconvenience their presence causes from time to time.
