31 May Herding Geese | May 2021

Herding Geese – A Goose Story

Canada Goose, Male (left) Acting Aggressive, Female (right), and 6 Goslings, April 22

Herding Geese

On April 22, I noticed a family of Canada Geese (2 adults and 6 goslings) across the street from our house.

And two neighbors were with them.

I put on a warm shirt, grabbed a camera, and hurried outside.

“These geese belong in the park,” I said.

So we escorted the geese to a nearby park.

This required: 1) Standing in front of them to prevent travel in the wrong direction, and 2) Moving gently toward them to encourage travel in the right direction.

We went a few blocks, crossed a 4-lane major street (with the light), and proceeded north another half a mile (0.8 km).

In the goose world, the female leads. The goslings follow. And the male follows the goslings as a security bookend.

The goslings were the most amazing part of this bird walk.

These small birds (about 6-in, or 15-cm, long) ran as fast as they could for the entire trip – always keeping up with mom.

When we came to curbs they jumped off. Or they fell off. Then they had to jump up on the next curb, which might have taken two or three attempts.

But they kept going. And they kept going. And they kept going.

Eventually, after about 50 minutes, we reached the park. And the geese immediately went to work on goose business – eating grass. Then the family went for a swim (as shown in the photo above).

Canada Goose, Female with Gosling, April 25 (Goslings will hide under the female’s wings for safety. So right now, she has all six goslings under her wings.)

Good News

As of May 27, there are still six goslings. And they are maturing well.

They have more than tripled in size. They are growing adult feathers. And they are showing signs of adult plumage.

These young geese now look forward to productive careers in other parks or prestigious golf courses.

Update: June 2. The goose family continues to do well. The six goslings now qualify as juveniles.

Canada Goose, Young Juvenile, May 27

And I can report that this was the best, most enjoyable bird walk that I have ever taken.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

PS > April 24 2023: Another goose family appeared across the street from our house. So I herded them to and across the 4-lane street. Then the geese continued to a local park that has a lake. Two days later I went to the park. The family was there, doing well.

Find More at:

Feathers Make the Goose

The Truth about Bird Photography and a Goose Update

Meet Father Goose

Did You Know?

The most effective way to help birds is to buy land.

Here are three organizations that excel at doing this.

1) American Bird Conservancy

2) The Nature Conservancy

3) The Trust for Public Land

Please visit their web sites to learn about the work they do.

Here’s an excellent book: The American Bird Conservancy Guide to Bird Conservation

You can help – Please share this blog with others.

Inspiring Respect for Nature, one bird at a time.

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