Canada Geese Facts

Walking home from Hanni's Halloween parade I noticed a flock of Canadian geese flying in a perfect V formation. When I got home I did a google search on Canadian geese. The following information is from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Region 3 Midwest Internet Service).

Q: How big is a Canada Goose?

A: A full grown Canada Goose will have a wing span of 6 feet and weigh from 7-10 lbs

Q: How high do they fly?

A: On daily feeding flights they usually fly from 100 to 1,000 feet depending on wind and disturbance from people. When migrating they fly much higher, finding an altitude with a wind that is going their direction. Geese have been seen as high as 9,000 feet.

Q: Why do geese fly in a V formation?

A: The air to the side of a flying goose is smoother to fly in than the more turbulent air right behind. A goose flying back of another goose would be like a person trying to swim behind a motor boat.