Urban species #003: Canada Goose

[urbpan]

At least two factors of human origin have conspired to transform this unlikely bird into an urban species. Before the twentieth century, Canada geese were symbols of wildness, and of the changing seasons. They were only seen in New England as part of the migration, flying overhead in their v formation, or perhaps stopping at a pond or lake to rest and eat, before continuing on to plains or tundra.

But forests were cut down to make lawns, parks, golf courses, cemeteries, and so on, creating tundra-like and plains-like landscapes, usually conveniently located next to still water. Thus were Canada geese encouraged to linger in places that they historically flew by.

Also, in former years Canada geese were hunted enthusiastically. Hunters used a variety of techniques to induce them to descend to ponds for easier shooting, including decoys made of wood, and live decoys. Live decoys were large semi-domestic Canada geese (hybridized with large midwestern subspecies) that were used to lure wild waterfowl into a false sense of safety. Early in the twentieth century the practice was abandoned and outlawed, and the live decoys were left to become feral.

Between the changing of the landscape to resemble their feeding and breeding grounds, and the interbreeding with sedentary live decoy geese, eastern cities have year-round populations of millions of Canada geese. Few urban animals are capable of preying on an adult goose (though a bald eagle took one on the ice of Jamaica Pond a few years back), and so they continue to multiply unabated. Many people, especially those who manage parks and golf courses, see Canada geese as a serious pest. Many city dwellers appreciate the opportunity to interact with these large and beautiful, but no longer exotic, animals.

Comments

[miz-geek.livejournal.com]

I didn't know that about the hybridization/domestication attempts. That explains (maybe) why they're more common than other types of geese.

I still like them, even if they are kind of like little feathered cows. And if you want fun - try cleaning the cage of a rehab Canada Goose with Giardia. Good times.

[ex-wellread.livejournal.com]

Across the street from where I live is a little league baseball park. In late fall, early winter, there will sometimes be up to two hundred of them over there. I enjoy seeing them and become upset when children chase them or people take their dogs over there to chase the geese (both are against city ordnance).

[brush-rat.livejournal.com]

Children are against city ordinance? Where the hell do you live?

[ex-wellread.livejournal.com]

I see I didn't write that well! But maybe I'll go to a city council meeting and make that suggestion. ;^)

[vampyrusgirl.livejournal.com]

Also, do you have a map and a listing of homes for sale? ;)

[brush-rat.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I knew what you meant, but I have a hard time resisting a good straight line.

[cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com]

You can tell here when people have been letting their dogs chase the geese - the geese get a lot more wary of dogs.

I concur that the canada geese are a pest.

[(Anonymous)]

I wish we had coyotes, or even dogs, or some geezers with shotguns, nets etc. to decimate the canada goose population where I live. There are several hundreds grazing all summer on the reservoir, leaving piles of dung and feathers. Probably as much manure as 10 households can produce. I bet if someone started a poultry farm, or put up 10 families with houses dumping their sewer straight into the reservoir, I bet the city would go ballistic.

It is not natural to have such a huge unchecked population shitting a place down like this. After a lap around the reservoir, I can sense the smell of goose dung for hours. It is probably a health risk as well.

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

Hello - am friending you because cottonmanifesto told me about the 365 urban species thing and I am fascinated and want to follow it. And I love your fungi photos.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Hello, and thanks! I friended you back.

finch or sparrow tag

[(Anonymous)]

we found a very tame wild bird either a red finch or sparrow with a red tag around its leg. can you help us with any more information about these birds.
sandra

Re: finch or sparrow tag

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

I can try! Where are you located? Where did you find the bird? Does the tag say anything? What kind of help do you need?

Re: finch or sparrow tag

[(Anonymous)]

I'm not sure if my reply got through but we live in Georgetown, Ontario. The bird was trapped accidentally in our garage overnight and when we let it go it moved to our backyard. My son could feed the bird from his hand it was so tame. A very attractive reddish brown colour. The tag had numbers on it but we never managed to read them. Are small birds tagged like this?

Re: finch or sparrow tag

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Usually wild birds are tagged with plain metal bands (when they are tagged). I suspect that it's someone's escaped pet.

If you manage to catch it again, you could read the band numbers and report it to the Canada Bird Office: http://ontbanding.org/foundband.php

Since it doesn't seem to want to go very far, you might check with local pet stores to see if anyone is reporting a lost pet. It may be a good idea to leave a shallow pan of water out where the bird can get at it.

If you want to catch it they make sparrow traps: http://www.birddamage.com/sparrowtrap.htm
that you might be able to get at a hardware store.

Feel free to email me directly: my email address is in my profile info.

finch or sparrow tag

[(Anonymous)]

we found a very tame wild bird either a red finch or sparrow with a red tag around its leg. can you help us with any more information about these birds.
sandra