10 Amazing facts about Geese
Did you know that geese are good "guard dogs"?
- As goslings, ducks and geese will bond with the first suitable moving stimulus, no matter if this is a goose, person or even an object. They remain dedicated to that person or object as their surrogate “parent” throughout their lives.
- Geese are highly social animals. If they are raised around other livestock and fowl, they usually get along well with them.
- Goose is actually the term for female geese, male geese are called ganders. A group of geese on land or in water are a gaggle, while in the air they are called a skein.
- Geese eat seeds, nuts, grass, plants, and berries.
- They are the largest waterfowls, the other being swans. Though they are waterfowls, they spend most of their time on land.
- Geese always fly in the shape of a "V", as it allows at least 71% greater flying range. When the goose in the lead gets tired, another goose takes over the position.
- Geese are very loyal. They mate for life and are protective of their partners and offspring.
- Geese express a mourning behavior when they lose their mating partner or their eggs.
- They enjoy preening their feathers, foraging for food in the grass, and collecting twigs, bark, and leaves to use to make “home improvements” in their nests.
- They have strong affections for others in their group. If a goose gets sick or is wounded, a couple of other geese may drop out of formation to help and protect him.