Summary

  • Natural history: Vermont had no breeding Canada Geese at all until Fish & Wildlife established a flock at Dead Creek in 1956. The birds’ quick adaptation to farm ponds, beaver ponds, and golf courses, plus a shift toward permanent, non-migratory residency, fueled a statewide boom that now requires its own hunting season and, in problem areas, egg and nest destruction permits.
  • Status in VT: Increased by 1600% (8 to 136 blocks). Greatest increase in Northern Green Mountains.
  • Data from other research: No additional data for VT.
  • Conservation status: State rank S5N
  • Other atlases: NY: 275%; PA: 111%; MD: 187%; ON: sig. increase.
  • VT’s role in North American range: VT is within the core of the range.
  • Causes of change since first Atlas: Continued expansion following earlier intentional releases; milder winters allow for increased reproduction; Canada Goose >75% reproductive success in urban areas.
  • Management/Monitoring recommendations: Possible population control involving egg and nest destruction.

Population Trends

Canada Goose graph

First Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas (1976-1981)

Species Account

Second Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas (2003 – 2007)

Species Account

Canada Goose Map 1 Canada Goose Table 1 Canada Goose Table 2

Change in Distribution

mapkey Canada Goose Map 2 Canada Goose Table 3

Links

Vermont eBird

Encyclopedia of Life

All About Birds