Canada Goose Scat and Tracks: How to Identify Them (Branta canadensis)

Bird droppings combine dark solid waste with a white urate cap, and large ground birds leave J-shaped or coiled droppings. Tracks show three forward toes (and often a short hind toe) with no pads; walking birds leave prints in a nearly straight line, and waterfowl prints show webbing between the toes. The measurements below for Canada Goose are quoted from the wildlife agencies linked at the bottom of the page.

• Shape: Tubular
• Contents/color: Droppings are green when the animal has been grazing on grass
• Where: Defecates on average about once every 7 minutes, producing large quantities that can quickly foul an area

• Gait: Tracks are easy to find in soft soil or sand

• Nests on the ground near water: The nest is built on the ground near water, an open cup made of dry grass and other plant material, lined with feathers
• Overgrazing on lawns: In large numbers can cause problems such as overgrazing lawns, droppings buildup, aircraft strikes, and damage to newly planted crops

No verbatim description distinguishing these geese from the Canada Goose was found; do not guess based on size or color alone

Put something of known size next to it (a coin, a pen, a boot) and shoot straight down in soft light; low side light brings out the shape of tracks in mud or snow. For scat, photograph the whole deposit and one close-up showing contents. Note where it was: on a log, in the open, on a trail, near water. The app suggests the likely animal; confirm with the size and shape notes above.