Goose Identification

Canada Geese are generally the cause of goose problem complaints as their numbers have been on the increase over the last decade thanks to their protected status by both Federal and State agencies. There are around a dozen subspecies of Canada geese, all with long black necks and heads with large white cheek patches meeting under their throats. Their body feathering is generally a gray-brown with a slightly darker breast and underparts. The tail feathered are generally white underneath. Canada geese range in size from 22 to 48 inches long and weigh anywhere from 3-4 pounds up to 24 pounds. Our corporate lawns/fountains and country clubs are prime target areas for Canada geese to graze and nest. These migratory birds are more recently staying put, finding there is no more need to leave their "easy living" urban environments of campus like business parks and golf courses for more southernly green pastures. They prefer to nest in areas near water with protective vegetation cover. These highly aggressive birds will chase animals and people was from their nesting areas, sometimes resulting in injury to the intruders.

Damage Caused by Canada Geese

Goose problems range from damage to agricultural crops through both consumation and trampling. Golf courses and lawns suffer aesthetically from the aggressive and destructive presence of geese. The large bird droppings from Canada geese foul reserviors and ponds, in addition to making a mess on green belts. Airport safety is jeopardized as many airport bird strike collisions result from geese roosting in open areas near airports.

Canada Goose Control

Non-migratory Canada geese are difficult to move. Immediate corrective landscaping is a must: remove cover shrubbery, use herbicides to eliminate vegetation in the pond, and reduce fertilizer to make the grass less nutritious.Migrate Taste Deterrent should also be applied if geese have inhabited the area for any length of time so the food source will be less desirable to the geese.

In addition to corrective landscaping, audio /visual bird scare devices should be used in combination as soon as geese move into an area to create a perception of predators in the vicinity. The location and type of the audio / visual devices MUST VARY frequently, so the geese perceive the threat as real. A combination of sophisticated noisemakers like the Bird Wailer, Bird Squawker (for larger areas), Zon Gun propane canon and visual products like bird scare eye balloons, bird scare flags, Holographic owl and flash bird scare tape creates a menacing, predatory feel to the area driving the problem geese from the vicinity. These can also be combined with agony-posture decoys (move frequently) to convince the geese the predator has made fresh kills.

Nesting

Nesting sites are typically near water with protective vegetation in close proximity. Planter boxes on high rise office building balconies in campus like settings are quickly becoming a nesting site of choice. Geese are extremely aggressive, posting sentinels at nesting and grazing sites. Defense of nests can many times result in injury to people or pets who venture too close.?

Breeding

Female Geese usually lay one egg every other day during the 25 day spring mating season. The nest is abandoned a few days after hatching. Canada Geese are monogamous for life, but will re-mate upon the death of their mate.

Cycles

Non-migratory or residential Geese, once established, prefer feeding at the nesting site, but will often fly long distances to and from favorite feeding grounds. Some feeding may occur during moonlit nights.