The Canada Goose is 25 to 45 inches long and has a distinctive black head and neck-stocking with a white chinstrap. This contrasts with the pale colored breast. It feeds on aquatic vegetation, grass and clover. The Canada goose is a migratory bird, but may remain over winter if food is abundant.

The nest site is selected by the female and is by the water's edge in a slightly elevated position such as on rocks, grass hummocks, old muskrat nests, or even old hay bales. The goose shown in the photograph is nesting on the muskrat lodge that is shown in the muskrat photographs, but was subsequently abandoned. The nest is mainly built by the female goose out of sticks, moss and grass and it is lined with down. The female incubates the eggs for about four weeks and will often lie flat with outstretched neck in order to stay concealed. Canada geese mate for life and while the female is sitting on the nest the male patrols nearby.

The male’s voice is a loud "ahonk" while the female has a higher "hink".