March 28, 4014
Canada Geese
Remember when Canada geese were a fly-by-night group?
Back then, before our resident goose populations took hold, it was big news when these large, majestic
birds blew into town. Flying in V-formation, honking and squawking, they’d land by the hundreds on
rivers and ponds. People, myself included, would go out of their way to take in the spectacle of what
were then considered “rare birds.”
But you had to hurry. “The Geese,” as we called them, never stayed around long. They had a long
journey ahead, either north to their nesting grounds or south to their winter range, and our area was a
mere stopover as they made their way along their migration route.
Boy, how times have changed. Thanks to a one-two punch of non-migratory “giant” Canada geese
(Branta canadensis maxima) being introduced to the area, along with landscape modifications that have
produced year-round sources of food and open water, these birds are anything but rare. Today, instead
of moving toward a group of Canada geese, people tend to move away, quickly, dodging both the
animals and the ample evidence they leave behind.
But if you’re one of the few folks who still find Canada geese fascinating, now’s a great time to pay a
visit to a local pond or riverside park. There’s a lot going on in Gooseland. For one, migrating flocks are
heading back north. If you’re not sure
whether the geese you’re watching are
migratory or residents, move around just a
little bit. Migrating geese are much warier
than our non-migrating birds and will take
off at, literally, the drop of a hat.
If you’re lucky, you might even catch a
glimpse of a goose sporting a neck collar.
Neck collars designate birds that are being
tracked as part of assorted research
projects. The collars come in many colors
and usually are printed with three or four characters, depending on the research and the Canada goose
subspecies involved. (That’s right, not all Canada geese are the same. More than 10 subspecies have
been identified. In fact, the four smallest forms have been split off into a completely different species
known as the Cackling Goose, Branta hutchinsii.)
But even our resident Canada geese, common as they might seem, can provide plenty of entertainment.
This is the time of year when geese transition between winter “surviving” mode and springtime
“thriving” mode. Though the birds still prefer the safety of open water and their flockmates during the
overnight hours, during the daytime you’ll see it’s a whole different story. Bonded pairs are renewing
their acquaintances and young geese are pairing off for the first time. It’s The Dating Game, Branta
canadensis style.
I suppose the scientific term for their behavior is courtship, but I can’t help but anthropomorphize – that
is, apply human traits to non-human creatures – as I watch pairs strolling along local park paths and bike
trails.
“Where would you like to go today, honey?”
“Oh, I dunno. Maybe out to eat? Just give me a sec while I run to the bath… Oops! Never mind…”
This past week, we’ve had the pleasure of watching a pair of Canada geese break away from the flock to
enjoy quiet interludes in the athletic fields near Hickory Knolls. They’ve left their biodegradable marks,
for sure, but also have enriched our daily birdwatching with their devoted behavior toward one another.
The male goose, larger than his female companion, typically walks somewhat behind his mate as they
make their way around the broad, open space. As the female waddles slowly forward, the male lags
behind, grabbing occasional bill-fuls of grass as he keeps a watchful eye for potential threats.
Dining at Chez Soccer Field might last a few minutes or several, depending on the quality and quantity of
offerings, as well as how safe the male deems the area. Then it’s on to the next course, picking through
leaf litter, followed by drinks back at the retention pond.
Canada goose dating is a prelude to, of course, Canada goose mating, which normally would already be
underway but, with this year’s lingering cold, may be delayed another week or two.
Sooner rather than later though, Mom Goose will be on the lookout for a suitable location for nesting.
Although most geese prefer secluded locations, individuals that are used to humans may opt for
seemingly unnatural sites like parking lot islands or garden beds. The flower boxes on St. Charles’ Illinois
Street bridge, for instance, are perennial goose favorites, likely due to their proximity to water as well as
being relatively predator proof.
Once settled, the female will begin the process of laying eggs, one a day, until her clutch is complete.
Only after the last egg is laid does she begin incubating; that way, she ensures the young will all hatch
within a few hours of each other. Incubation lasts about four weeks, so this year we can count on seeing
Canada goose families, each complete with mom, dad and a gaggle of goslings, sometime in late April or
early May.
Even though Canada geese are ubiquitous throughout our Tri-Cities landscapes, they can still put on
quite a show, if you know what to look for. Don’t be silly. Go out and take a gander.
Pam Otto is the manager of nature programs and interpretive services at the Hickory Knolls Discovery
Center, a facility of the St. Charles Park District. She can be reached at 630-513-4346 or