Canada Goose (Honker, Greater Canada Goose)
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Anseriformes, Family: Anatidae, Genus: Branta, Species: Branta canadensis · Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Swans) · Flight (remex), specifically a secondary flight feather.
Species
Branta canadensis
Feather Type
Flight (remex), specifically a secondary flight feather.
Family
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Swans)
Shape
Asymmetrical vane with a broad, rounded tip; slightly curved along the rachis.
Size
Approximately 18-22 cm (7-9 inches) in length; width is about 4-5 cm. Consistent with major wing feathers of a large waterfowl.
Rarity
Very Common; one of the most abundant and recognizable large waterfowl in the Northern Hemisphere.
Color & Pattern
Solid dark brownish-gray to charcoal on the dorsal side; slightly paler, matte grayish-silver on the ventral side. The rachis is white to cream at the base, darkening to gray toward the tip.
Barb Structure
Tightly interlocked pennaceous barbs providing a stiff, wind-resistant surface for flight; some plumulaceous downy barbs at the base (superior umbilicus).
Texture & Surface
Smooth, stiff, and somewhat oily to the touch for water repellency; the surface has a matte appearance with high structural integrity.
Description
This is a robust secondary flight feather from a Canada Goose. The goose itself is a large bird with a black head and neck, a white 'chinstrap', and a brownish body. They are famous for their V-shaped flight formations and loud 'honking' calls. These birds are highly adaptable and have successfully colonized human-modified landscapes.
Key Features
Distinctive dark brownish-gray color, large size, sturdy pale rachis, and the specialized water-repellent texture characteristic of Anseriformes.
Habitat
Widespread in wetlands, lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes, and increasingly in urban parks, golf courses, and agricultural fields.
Geographic Range
Native to North America; large resident populations in the US and Canada with migratory patterns extending into Mexico. Introduced and common in Europe and New Zealand.
Condition Notes
Good to Fair condition. Notable fraying is visible along the trailing edge (right side of image), suggesting this feather was naturally molted at the end of a breeding season.
Interesting Facts
Canada Geese often mate for life and are highly protective of their nests; they were once nearly depleted in the early 20th century but have staged a massive population recovery.
Ecological Role
An important herbivore that grazes on aquatic and terrestrial plants; they serve as a food source for large predators and transport nutrients across ecosystems during migration.
Similar Species
Feathers from the Trumpeter Swan or Mute Swan are much larger and white; feathers from the Cackling Goose are almost identical but smaller in scale.