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It's spring time amongst the Canada Geese. A male (in foreground) and female Branta Canadensis are protecting foraging territory along the Eagle Creek mouth beside Piper Spit in Burnaby Lake.

The elaborate courtship displays, mating rituals and territorial rites of these stately birds have fascinated wildlife observers since John James Audubon and beyond to modern days. The gander with his huge wingspread of five feet or more and his impressive 14 pound body is a fierce defender of his realm. I sat on the park bench and watched this pair fending off another three couples of geese as they vied for foraging rights in the mouth of Eagle Creek. At one point, the male attacked another male with such ferocity that pin feathers flew and both geese danced above the water with obvious pain and conviction that all of the smaller waterfowl in the area were sent off with their tail between legs and beaks squawking. Moments later, all returned to normal with the defending champion bobbing and honking with obvious reference with his defense moves.

At first the defenders will give ample warnings including a hissing and posturing of vigorous head-pumping, bowing and wings partially extended... that signals attack. An aroused gander will attack a human that gets too close, or even an enemy as large as an Elk. As such fierce protectiveness suggests, these large birds will stay with their young for almost a quarter of a year, until the fall migration begins, teaching their young the basic survival skills they need for the long life ahead of the, Canada geese have been known to survive up to 20 years in the wild! Mate will stay together for life.

No wonder they are proudly called Canada Geese by Canadians.

Canada Geese are recognized by a black hood with a white swoosh starting under the chin to the back of the head, also, there are more dramatic, or contrasting colors in the body feathers (Black, white and gray) and a white rump.

Branta Canadensis - Canada Goose - Burnaby Lake, Piper Spit, Burnaby - March 30, 2009.