Goose

Goose, swimming bird (family Anatidae) related to the swan and duck. Technically, “goose” refers to the female of the species, “gander” to the males. Geese migrate in flocks (known as skeins) reportedly flying as high as 29,000 ft (8,838 m). The Canada, or wild, goose (Branta canadensis) is the best known in North America, and the domestic Toulouse, or gray, goose is a descendant of the European graylag. In medieval times the Barnacle goose of Europe was thought to arise from barnacles, and, as such, was counted as fish and could be eaten on Fridays.