Introduction to Goose
Goose, a waterfowl belonging to the same family as ducks and swans. Geese are larger and heavier than ducks, and have longer necks, but are smaller and have shorter necks than swans. They vary widely in size according to the species, ranging in length from 22 to 45 inches (56–114 cm). They also vary in color and markings. Geese have a worldwide range, and were perhaps the first poultry to be domesticated. They are bred for their meat and eggs, and as pets and for ornamental purposes. Until steel nibs were invented, goose quills were used for writing pens. Goose feathers have long been used as stuffing for mattresses and pillows.
Geese breed near water but feed mostly on land, often going far inland to eat grasses and crops. The male (gander) often assists the female (goose) in rearing the young (goslings), and in some species the pair mates for life. The number of eggs in a clutch varies with the species from about 4 to as many as 16. Some kinds of geese migrate long distances from breeding to feeding grounds. Most North American geese breed from the Arctic as far south as southern Illinois, and migrate in winter as far south as the Gulf states.
Domestic geese are an important food source, especially in Europe.Who Says “Hello” with a Honk?Swans trumpet, whistle, and whoop. But geese honk to say “hello.” Like swans, geese are very vocal. They, too, have long necks, webbed feet, and waterproof feathers. But geese are much smaller than most swans. Large geese weigh only around 9 pounds (4 kilograms).
When a white-fronted goose flies, it has a high, musical call that sounds a bit like laughter—lyo-lyok, lyo-lyok. This call is so special that the goose can be identified by it. Some people even call white-fronted geese “laughing geese.”
Like swans, geese use different calls for different reasons. One honk is a greeting. Another is a warning. Another signals that it is time for the flock to move on. Some geese have at least 10 different calls, each 1 for a different reason.
Do Geese Make Good Lawn Mowers?Geese feed on land much more than swans do. But barnacle geese don’t just eat grass—they seem to mow right through it. They can clip grass at hundreds of snips a minute!
Two things help geese forage, or feed, on land. First, a goose’s legs are close to the front of its body. This helps the goose walk comfortably on land. Second, a goose’s bill is shaped like a triangle, with sharp notches along the edges. The notches help a goose cut through dry grass and other land plants.
Geese gather in family groups and large flocks to forage. Barnacle geese chatter when they forage. They give off sharp barks and yelps. And they compete for food. Geese in the middle of the flock often move to the edge to reach grassier spots.
Wild Geese
Among the geese native to America or Europe are the following:
Barnacle Goose,a small European goose. It has a white face, black neck, and black-and-white tail. Its upper parts are lavender-gray barred with black, and its underparts are light gray.
Branta wild goose of North America,
Canada GooseThis large goose is known for the V-formation flight of its flocks and its honking call. It is native to Canada and the United States, and has been introduced into Europe, where it breeds in Britain and Sweden. It is gray with black head and neck and light-gray breast; legs and bill are black. )
Why Do Canada Geese Fly in Formation?Canada geese fly in the shape of a V when they migrate. Many other swimming birds use this formation, too. It probably saves energy. It also allows birds to stay together and still see where they are flying.
How does a V-formation save energy? As the geese fly, the birds at the front of the V create upward air currents. The air currents help keep the rest of the flock up. This means that the birds at the back don’t have to work so hard to fly. They use less energy.
Like other migrating birds, Canada geese take turns leading the formation. When the leader gets tired, it drops from the front of the V. Another goose then becomes the leader.
GraylagMany domestic breeds were derived from the graylag. It is gray with a lighter head and tail, and has pink legs. One race of the graylag has an orange bill, the other a pink bill. The graylag breeds chiefly in Scotland.
Snow Goose,native to Canada and the United States. It is noted for its plumage, pure white except for black wing tips. Legs and bill are pink. There are two races, the greater and the lesser.
White-fronted Goose,with a grayish-brown head and neck, black speckled breast, pink bill, and yellow legs. Bill, lower neck, and tail underparts are marked with white. In the fall, this goose migrates in V-formation from the Arctic to Texas.
Domestic Geese
The domestic goose is an important article of food, especially in Europe. Popular breeds in the United States are:
African,despite its name, developed in India from the wild Chinese goose. It has a large knob just above its black bill. The plumage is ashy brown.
Chinese,a popular exhibition or ornamental breed also developed from the wild Chinese goose. The brown Chinese goose has russet-brown back and wing feathers, brown head, slate-colored knob and bill, and light-colored underparts. The white Chinese goose has pure white feathers and an orange-colored knob and bill.
Emden,a pure white goose developed from the graylag. It is named for the German city.
Toulouse,also developed from the graylag. It is named for the French city. The Toulouse has dark gray plumage on the back, light gray on the breast, and white on the abdomen. The bill is pale orange; legs and feet, reddish orange.
Other Breeds,less common in the United States, are the Pilgrim, Buff, Sebastopol, Egyptian, and White Roman.
The barnacle goose is Branta leucopsis; brant, B. bernicla; Canada goose, B. canadensis; graylag, Anser anser; snow goose, Chen caerulescens; white-fronted goose, A. albifrons; the swan goose, A. cygnoides. Geese belong to the goose subfamily Anserinae, of the duck, goose, and swan family Anatidae.