One of the surest signs of spring is the return of migratory birds like the Canada goose, which means it’s time for a refresher in how to keep them and yourself safe.
Canada geese are large birds, they can have a wingspan up to six feet wide, and aren’t afraid to attack if you wander into an area they’re trying to protect, usually because they have eggs or goslings nearby.
“Here in Edmonton, we’re lucky, because we have this huge green space … but that means we’re teeming with wildlife,” said Dale Gienow, the executive director for WildNorth.
“We can find geese attempting to nest in all kinds of areas, not necessarily just in those green belts, but right downtown, on people’s private balconies and their back porches, anywhere that they can find a spot where they’re feeling secure and protected, they’re going to try to attempt and build a nest site.”
CTV News Edmonton staff are being mindful of a goose nesting in a planter on our back deck.
The Canada goose is a protected species under the Migratory Birds Convention Act and it is illegal to disturb, damage or destroy the nest or eggs.
If you are worried about geese on your property and don’t want them to nest there, you can take steps to discourage nesting before it happens.
The Alberta government recommends removing the source of food or shelter they are finding on the property by:
- letting your grass grow to at least 6 inches, as geese prefer it shorter to spot approaching predators;
- using less fertilizer, to slow the growth of new grass shoots, which geese prefer to eat;
- installing a fence around any bodies of water on your property or adding rocks and plants along the shoreline.
Geese often return to places they have successfully nested in and raised young in the past.
When the geese are nesting, they become territorial and it’s important to give them their space, according to Gienow.
“Typically, if you see a goose standing up tall, hissing at you, spreading its wings, motioning in your direction, you know you’re too close,” he added.
“That’s your sign to step back, kind of back away slowly, and you’ll see that body language from the goose really calm down - the wings will come back in, they’ll kind of turn around, head back towards the nesting area.”
He adds that most people aren’t going to be in any real danger from a goose, but they can hurt you.
“They can buff at you with the wings, they could inflict some minor bruising or something like that,” Gienow said. “The bite is not particularly dangerous, although they do have little serrated beaks and can inflict some very minor injuries.”
WildNorth is getting around 30 calls a day about Canada Geese, usually about lone geese people are worried about, according to Gienow.
“This is typically the gander, the male goose, who’s standing guard … its mate is generally somewhere nearby,” he said. “Sometimes people think they’re injured but really, they’re just doing their job, they’re being good dads, and they’re looking after a mom and their future babies.
“If he sees any unusual activity around that nest, he’s going to be right on top of that trying to get rid of that perceived threat, trying to chase away that perceived predator.”
Geese often nest on rooftops as they are safer from predators, but that poses a different problem, the goslings can’t always get down.
Anyone who is concerned about geese can contact WildNorth - the organization has experience rescuing goslings, including from high places.
Canada goose eggs usually take around a month to hatch.
With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Amanda Anderson
