Scientists have already documented differences in call between species in terms of frequency, duration, and interval, as well as the morphological differences that probably cause the differences, but further research seems to be needed on the exact nuances of usage. Research ought to go in the direction of comparing the vocalizations between the differently sized subspecies (Mowbray et al., 2002). There hasn’t been much recent research on Canada Goose vocalizations. While calls are considered innate, call development is correlated to social contact with the parents and other family. As the bird matures, some gosling-specific calls are replaced with adult versions (Wurdinger, 1970). Vocalizations start to develop before the young birds have even hatched (Wurdinger 1970, and Cowan 1973), and at first gosling calls are limited to strong, single peeps or warbling trills (Whitford 1987). There is little evidence that the calls of the Canada Goose are learned. Calls and vocalizations in general are more frequent during the spring, when pairs of geese are nesting and defending territory. (Wurdinger 1970, and Sutherland and McChesney 1965). Geese of different species who come into contact on wintering grounds, and in human captivity have been observed to communicate. This is likely due to physical differences, such as lung capacity and body-to-neck ratio. Larger species tend to rely more heavily on honking, and small species rely more on slightly higher pitched calls, and there are generally slight differences in otherwise-similar calls between subspecies. The Canada Goose has a fairly large vocal range, of 500-850 hz, and there is little discernible difference between the subspecies (Whitford 1998). Females have a special greeting call, which is a loud and prolonged snoring vocalization (Whitford, 1998). Generally, for short-distance communication with other geese (for example, mating situations, or communication with young), quiet, short grunts are used. “Hisses” are used basically when threatened, directed at short-distance intruders, which might include other geese, ducks, or humans. The honk call is loud and resonant (Whitford, 1998).

The “honk” call of the Canada goose is used variously to ward off intruders, advertise territory boundaries, as a long-distance call, to answer a mate, as part of a greeting ceremony after being separated from a mate, and when in flight or about to take flight. Goose vocalizations depend very heavily on the context in which they are made, such as location, posture, age of bird, season, and social context. While these differences are more or less accounted for by morphological factors like neck length and lung size between sexes, there are also behavioral variations that need to be taken into consideration (Whitford, 1987). Some of the 13 calls seem gender-specific (Whitford, 1987), for example in larger sub-species of Canada Goose the “honk” call is restricted to males, with females having a similar but shorter and higher-pitched “hrink” call (Collias and Jahn 1959). They are most vocal during flight- especially in large flocks- and more socially dominant individuals have been observed to be far more vocal than more submissive members of the flock. The types of call include Honking, Hucka, Snore, and Cackle (Whitford, 1998). However, the Canada Goose has an intricate system of vocal communication, and their repertoire includes 13 different calls for adults, although this is debated among some experts (Whitford, 1987). The Canada Goose is a waterfowl, and not a singing species of bird.

Wild goose sound