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QUICK GOOSE
FACTS
Canada Geese are regulated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service under the guidelines set forth by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of
1918 making it unlawful to kill, sell, hunt, disturb nests and eggs, or
purchase and possess migratory birds unless permitted by the Secretary of
the Interior.
Goose Life Facts:
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Life Span of up to 24 years.
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Mating is for life. If a mate is lost, a
new mate is often found. |
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Average nest size 3 to 6 eggs with as
many as 12 possible. |
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Molting of adult birds occurs every
summer, for up to a 6 week period, rendering all birds flightless
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Nests can be very large, up to 4 feet
across, built on land and usually close to water.
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Geese are grazing animals, eating grasses
and other succulent plant material.
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An adult goose eats up to 4 lbs of grass
daily. |
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An adult goose drops 2 lbs of fecal
matter daily
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goose fecal matter has been linked to the spread of
diseases and bacterial infections.
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Population growth ranges from 10 to 17%
annually. |
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Geese typically return to the same
nesting and birth sites every year.
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Current goose conflicts in urban and suburban
settings are often caused by resident Canada Geese flocks and not migratory
birds. During the 1930’s an ambitious effort was undertaken to reintroduce a
resident population of geese throughout the Continental United States.
Many things have changed since the re-establishment of resident geese,
particularly the use and development of our land resources. Creating open
spaces with well manicured lawns, often dotted with ponds and lakes, and the
lack of predators in these suburban settings creates an environment in which
geese can thrive. Extensive food resources, excellent nesting areas, and
security from predators are all that is needed to create a population
explosion among resident Canada Geese.
Often these Geese feed in adjacent farm land creating a hardship to the land
owner. Hunting access is often limited due to the proximity to human
environments.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates the current (2003) national
resident goose population at 4 million. At an average annual growth rate of
10%, within three years 1.2 million new geese will be added to the current
population.
These unnatural conditions work to produce healthier and larger geese
capable of laying larger nests and living much longer than their migratory
cousins.
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