Canada Goose
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Anseriformes, Family: Anatidae, Genus: Branta, Species: B. canadensis · Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Swans) · Flight feathers (remiges), specifically secondary feathers.
Species
Branta canadensis
Feather Type
Flight feathers (remiges), specifically secondary feathers.
Family
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Swans)
Shape
Asymmetrical vane typical of flight feathers, with a broad rounded trailing edge and a narrower leading edge; slightly curved along the longitudinal axis.
Size
Approximately 7 to 9 inches (18-23 cm) in length and 1.5 to 2 inches wide, consistent with the secondary flight feathers of a large waterfowl species.
Rarity
Very Common; one of the most widespread and easily recognized bird species in North America.
Color & Pattern
Dark brownish-black to charcoal grey on the dorsal surface, with a slightly paler, more silvery-grey ventral side. The rachis is pale cream to white, creating a distinct contrast against the dark vanes.
Barb Structure
Tightly interlocked pennaceous barbs throughout most of the vane for aerodynamic integrity, transition to soft plumulaceous (downy) barbs at the very base (quill area).
Texture & Surface
Smooth, stiff, and somewhat oily to the touch for water repellency. The surface has a matte to low-gloss finish, typical of durable waterfowl flight feathers.
Description
These are secondary flight feathers from a Canada Goose, characterized by their uniform dark grey-brown color and contrasting pale rachis. The Canada Goose is a large waterfowl with a distinctive black head and neck 'sock' and a white chin strap. They are known for their 'honking' calls and V-shaped flight formations.
Key Features
Dark uniform charcoal/brown color, broad rounded shape, and a strikingly pale/white central rachis are diagnostic for large Branta species.
Habitat
Ubiquitous in North America, found near lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes, grassy fields, and increasingly in urban parks and golf courses.
Geographic Range
Resident or migratory throughout North America, from the Arctic to Mexico; widely introduced in Europe, New Zealand, and South America.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. There is significant fraying and separation of the barbs ('zipped' apart) along the edges, likely due to natural wear or being a molted feather found on the ground.
Interesting Facts
Canada Geese are known for their lifelong pair bonds and their incredible navigational abilities, often returning to the exact same nesting spot year after year.
Ecological Role
Predominantly grazers, they influence plant communities and serve as a primary prey species for large predators while also acting as dispersal agents for aquatic nutrients.
Similar Species
Domestic Goose feathers (often lighter or white), Mute Swan (significantly larger and white), or Cackling Goose (nearly identical but smaller in scale).