A Southeast Missouri winter favorite

The Canada goose has an average wingspan of 68 inches, making it one of North America's largest migratory birds. It ranks behind others such as the bald eagle, trumpeter swan and American white pelican.

A great number of Canada geese summer and raise young in the northern United States and Canada. A very small number by comparison are year-round residents of Southeast Missouri.

The Canada goose is easy to recognize by its loud honking while in low flight. It also is easy to recognize by its long black neck and head, accented by a very white patch around its chin. Large flocks can sometimes be seen foraging for scattered grain in local farm fields. Almost everything about this magnificent bird makes it a Southeast Missouri winter favorite.

And I mustn't forget these are the birds that fly across the sky in their famous "V" formation.