Canada Goose (alternate names: Canadian Goose, Wild Goose)

This feather belongs to a large, iconic waterfowl characterized by a black head and neck with a distinctive white 'chinstrap' mark. Adult Canada Geese have brown backs and wings with a pale breast. They are known for their 'V' shaped flight formations and loud honking calls.

Dull brownish-black to charcoal grey on the upper surface (dorsal), fading to a lighter silvery-grey on the underside (ventral). The color is solid with no banding or spots, though some natural fading/bleaching from UV exposure is visible.

Tightly interlocked pennaceous barbs throughout most of the vane for aerodynamic integrity. The base of the feather shows a small cluster of soft, plumulaceous (downy) barbs near the calamus for insulation.

The surface is matte and slightly waxy, providing water resistance. The vane feels stiff and plastic-like to the touch, while the leading edge is notably more rigid than the trailing edge.

Large size, white/ivory rachis, dark charcoal/brown coloration, and extreme asymmetry of the vane. The lack of any mottling or barring distinguishes it from large raptor feathers.

Extremely versatile; found in lakes, ponds, bays, marshes, grain fields, and frequently in urban parks, golf courses, and suburban lawns near water.

Native to North America. Found year-round in Maryland and throughout most of the United States. Northern populations migrate to the southern U.S. and Mexico during winter.

Primary herbivore that grazes on grasses and aquatic plants. They serve as a prey source for large predators like foxes and coyotes (especially goslings). Their droppings contribute significant nutrients to water bodies.

Mute Swan feathers (larger and pure white), Wild Turkey primaries (more pointed and heavily barred with white), and Great Horned Owl feathers (softer texture with a 'fringed' leading edge).

Canada Geese are known for their lifelong pair bonds. They are also incredibly resilient and have successfully adapted to almost every human-altered landscape in North America, leading to massive population increases.

Fair to Good. There is noticeable 'unzipping' or separation of the barbs (splits) along the trailing edge, likely due to mechanical wear or the bird's grooming during the molting process. The calamus is intact.

Maryland