Canada Goose

Recognition
A grey-brown goose with a partial white face, with black  head and neck. These are quite large birds and have a wing span of about 4 to 5 feet.

Where seen
These birds are more prolific in northern Florida but have been seen occasionally on the newer lakes heading south on the I-75.They are also seen in small numbers at Sanibel and on a couple of occasions they have been seen of the ponds at Foxmoor and Riverbend.

I am not sure where the “seen birds come from” as they are not abundant in South West Florida.  They are probably birds which originate from Lake Trafford or Lake Okeechobee or birds which have moved north from the parks around Miami.

Jimmy’s notes
The Canada goose is one of the most successful breeding birds in America due to the fact that it often nests on predator-free islands. Florida, with its many new golf courses and man-made lakes, has helped to increase suitable land for their breeding and feeding.  Some people consider these geese to be a pest because of the extensive faecal deposition of this species.

In flight, they often fly in a V-formation and due to energy considerations, birds take turn in occupying the lead position.