Bird Species

Canada Geese

Canada geese are intelligent and social birds capable of recognizing and remembering individual humans. If you cross a goose, they will remember you.  

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Understand the Problem

Issues Caused By Canada Geese

Canada geese are a protected species under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. While geese may seem abundant in metropolitan environments across the US, in the early 20th century, Canada geese nearly became extinct due to habitat loss and overhunting. Today, due to a lack of natural predators and their ability to thrive in human-modified areas, geese can come into conflict with people and property to create issues such as:  

  • Excessive goose droppings left behind on properties
  • Algal blooms caused by goose feces
  • Injuries caused by aggressive geese during nesting season
  • Increase in aircraft collisions

Solutions

How to Manage Issues with Canada Geese

Due to their protected status, it is important that any efforts to control or manage geese populations are done compliantly. Depending on the property type and geese population, a combination of the following solutions may be applicable:  

  • Habitat modification such as allowing grass to grow and/or plant buffer strips of natural grasses to block the geese’s view of potential predators, and using fence barriers between the geese and nearby water to prevent ease of movement
  • Scare tactics such as trained dogs or light lasers
  • Chemical repellents, such as Flight Control® Plus
  • Egg depredation
Diverse Range of Species

Learn More About the Species

Appearance

Large with long neck and a flat bill. Head and neck are black with white cheeks and chinstrap, brown back, and tan chest.

Behavior

Geese are highly social birds that form strong family bonds, using complex communication systems including various calls and body language to coordinate group activities and warn of threats. Pairs will stay together throughout the year, and young often stay with parents for a year. They exhibit territorial behavior during breeding season and can become aggressive when protecting their nests, young, or feeding areas.

Diet

Geese eat almost all plant material, mostly stems and shoots of grasses and seeds or berries. They also love crabapples, acorns, and other nuts. They enjoy cultivated grains and will occasionally eat insects, mollusks, crustaceans, or small fish.

Habitat

Geese are attracted to areas that provide protection from natural ground predators, including flat rooftops or near water systems. They tend to live near lakes, ponds, bays, marshes, and fields.

Nesting

Geese may mate for life. Both male and female geese will defend territory and nests with displays including hissing, lowering head to ground with bill raised, and pumping head up and down while standing. They usually nest on slightly elevated dry ground with good visibility. A female typically lays 4-7 eggs with only one brood per season.

Migration

Resident and migratory populations exist. Many will winter more south and return in spring, migrating as a loose aggregate of multiple family groups as well as individuals.

Protected Status

Yes, Canada Geese are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the US.

Sources: The Audubon Society, Cornell Lab of Ornithology bird guide, Humane Society of the United States, Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management 

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