Population status

Canada Goose - Subarctic Breeding Populations
(Branta canadensis)

The Subarctic-breeding populations of Canada Geese are monitored by various programs. The North Atlantic sub-population, which is monitored through the Eastern Waterfowl Breeding Ground Survey, appears stable. The Atlantic sub-population is monitored by means of a specific inventory in the Ungava Peninsula. This sub-population experienced a marked decline from nearly 1 million individuals in 1970 to less than 60,000 individuals in 1995. Following a moratorium on hunting, the number of individuals in this sub-population increased to 185,000 in the early 2000s and now appears to have stabilized. The Southern Hudson Bay Sub-population is a new sub-population created in 2016 from the southern James Bay, Mississippi Valley, and Eastern Prairies sub-populations. Long-term trends are therefore not yet available for this new management unit, although the Mississippi Valley and southern James Bay sub-populations appear to have declined slightly in recent years. Subarctic-breeding Canada Geese are also monitored through the Waterfowl Breeding Population Habitat Survey (WBPHS), in northwestern Ontario and boreal habitats in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories, as well as throughout the Rocky Mountains. According to the results of the WBPHS, this population has been increasing steadily since the 1970s. All sub-populations are at an acceptable level relative to their national population goals. Detailed information on the population status of waterfowl species is available in the Population Status of Migratory Game Birds in Canada report (summarized version). To obtain a copy of the full version of this report, including tables and graphs, please contact ec.scf-oismiggibiers-cws-miggamebirds.ec@canada.ca.

 

Population goal and acceptable levels of variation

Species/groupGoalLower levelUpper level
CanadaNot applicableNot applicableNot applicable
North Atlantic populationLong-term average of the time series10th percentile of observed abundance (1970-2012)Not applicable
Atlantic population   Long-term average of the time series10th percentile of observed abundance (1970-2012)Not applicable
Southern Hudson Bay populationLong-term average of the time series10th percentile of observed abundance (1970-2012)Not applicable
Pacific populationLong-term average of the time series10th percentile of observed abundance (1970-2012)Not applicable

Eastern waterfowl breeding ground survey

Additional information on: Eastern waterfowl breeding ground survey

Table 1: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime PeriodAnnual trend Table 1 - footnote 1   Table 1 - footnote 2 Limits
LowerUpper
North Atlantic1990-20170.02-1.61.65
 

Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey in Western Canada and the Northwestern United-States

Additional information on: Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey in Western Canada and the Northwestern United-States

Table 2: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime PeriodAnnual trend Table 2 - footnote 1   Table 2 - footnote 2 Limits
LowerUpper
Western Ontario1961-20175.424.056.88
Western Boreal Forest1961-20176.425.197.05
 

Breeding Pair Survey of Canada Geese in Northern Quebec

Additional information on: Breeding Pair Survey of Canada Geese in Northern Quebec

Table 3: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime PeriodAnnual TrendLimits
LowerUpper
Atlantic1993-20171.5-0.563.6
 

References