6 Geese a Laying… A Look at the Goose!
We all know the 12 Days of Christmas tune and most of us sing it at least once a year. In this post we’d like to take a look at the sixth day of Christmas and put the goose under a microscope. So, lets check out the Canadian Goose.
If you reside anywhere near a lake, a river, a pond, a park or a farm we’re sure you’ve seen the Canada Goose at some point in your life. This bird has a black head and neck with white cheeks and chinstrap, and a brown back.
Native to North America, the Canadian Goose breeds in Canada and northern regions of the U.S. The Great Lakes region is home to one of the largest populations of Canadian Goose.
As the lakes and ponds and waterways in Canada and the Northern United States freeze, the Canadian Goose flies south in an effort to find food. Depending on how far north the geese live, their migration will begin in late August or early September. A flock will fly during the day or even at night, and as days get shorter they begin to eat more so they can form a layer of body fat and keep warm.
An interesting twist in this migration pattern has taken place as of late. The removal of natural predators in many areas has made the Canadian Goose rethink its migration all together. This is also contributed to availability of safe manmade bodies of water such as ponds on golf courses, parks, and gated communities. Areas of Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina have become permanent residence to flocks of Canadian Geese and are home to them year round! This has created problems in residential areas as community members aren’t pleased by the amount of geese droppings or the Canadian Goose’s aggressive approach.
The diet of this bird is generally just vegetation, but they will from time to time eat small insects and fish. In their second year of life, the Canadian Goose will find a mate and generally remain monogamous with this mate for life. The only reason a goose will find a new mate is if the current mate is killed. A female can lay anywhere between 3-8 eggs and will share her time with her mate incubating them.
Knowing all this may add some insight to your thoughts the next time you hum or sing the 12 Days of Christmas. Six geese a laying could come out with a brood of 18 to 48 new geese! From the whole crew at Perky Pet we wish you a fabulous holiday season!