The Canadian Goose Big and Bold Fierce and Loyal

This big waterbird has a long neck, large body, webbed feet and flat bill. Its head and neck are black, though its cheeks and chin are white, and its back is brown. The Canada goose prefers rivers and freshwater bodies across Canada, and winters in southern North America.Recently I have observed that some of the geese are staying in southern Ontario as well all year.

Big, bold and fiercely loyal Story by Will Ferguson

I'm excited. The choosing of an official national bird for Canada would allow us to finally mitigate the egregious error we made in naming the beaver as our national rodent, a creature whose the noblest trait - I've often pointed out - is that he thinks to slap his tail and warn his buddies before he runs away. Joining Castor canadensis as a national icon, I hereby nominate the strikingly coloured and conveniently named Canada goose.

Like the beaver, the Canada goose has webbed feet, but that's where the similarities end. Canada geese don't run away from anyone. They are highly adaptable to human environments, meaning they aren't intimidated by us in the least. They will chase you across a public park simply because they don't like the looks of you. These are big, bad-tempered birds. The largest of the species, Branta canadensis maxima, can weigh a whopping eight kilos, with a wingspan of two metres. (A typical bald eagle? Six kilograms, with a wingspan of 1.9 metres. I'm just sayin'.)

The Canada goose flies in distinctively crisp V-formation and is highly vocal, handsomely plumed and - being Canadian - likes to winter occasionally in Mexico. This is a goose with attitude. If birds could get tattoos, I have no doubt that the Canada goose would be first in line. But they are also fiercely loyal. Among the first to arrive in spring, and last to leave in winter, they mate for life and both parents share in raising their young. A fine role model all around, I'd say. And if I'm going to be chased through a public park anyway, I would rather it be by a national emblem.

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