An introductory ethogram for Canada geese (Branta canadensis)
Behavior of Canada Geese
Geese have a fairly standard set of social behaviors. Many of their behaviors are related to ritualized aggression, flock cohesion, courting, and appeasement. Some of the behaviors they exhibit include, but are not limited to: snaking, hissing, striking, beating, pecking, biting, preening, shaking, shivering, flapping, head tossing, tail fanning, tail shaking, and head bobbing. These behaviors do not include their vocalizations. Vocalizations can drastically alter the meaning behind a behavior.
Snaking occurs when a goose lowers its head to the ground and outstretches its neck. Generally this behavior is used when driving another goose out of a family’s space, or away from high value resources. When a paired goose or family successfully snakes another goose away from them, they often snake towards one another, tossing their heads while making a specific brassy honk.
Hissing is a frequent behavior of geese, and often exhibited towards other species. Thus, most people are most familiar with geese hissing at them. Hissing may seem scary, but it is how geese request more space. Some geese may also hiss when they desire something; it could be likened to a dog whining or growling, and depending on context, it can hold similar meaning. As a general rule, hissing occurs out of frustration of some kind.
Striking is a common corrective behavior semi-dominant geese utilize. It is midway between the visual-vocal warnings (such as snaking and hissing) and biting. Striking is when a goose lunges at another individual and darts their neck over the other’s back. This usually happens when a goose has not responded to hissing or snaking, but in a context in which the aggressor does not feel a strong need to move the other. Some geese will do this to people, darting their necks over someone’s lap. When done to a trusted person, this behavior may be referred to as nuzzling, and usually tends to mean the goose desires something the person has.
Beating is a fairly rare behavior, and involves a goose using their wings to hit either another goose or other animal. This is usually done between dominant geese in an effort to establish which one will get access to a resource. Geese will also beat an animal they feel is threatening or hurting them or their goslings. If a goose is attempting to beat you, it is best to retreat as some geese are strong enough to cause significant damage to certain tissues.
Pecking is similar to striking, but any part of the body can be targeted. Sometimes it may be accompanied by a small nip. This is usually used between related geese when one desires more or sole access to a highly desired resource. Since geese have very strong attachments to one another, closely related geese rarely bite each other. Pecking can be fairly common, especially in presence of a valuable and limited resource.
Biting is very common among unrelated flockmates. It usually serves to increase distance, or to push another goose away from a resource. Geese may also bite subordinate flock members to protect their mate, goslings, or food source.
Preening is a very common behavior. Geese preen every time they get wet, hot, or tired. Flocks often preen in large groups, however, allogrooming between individuals is surprisingly rare, though not necessarily uncommon. Occasionally mates will preen one another, or their offspring. Young goslings occasionally preen one another too. When flocks preen in large groups, it seems to be a bonding activity. Preening together seems to improve flock cohesion. This activity is also usually followed by napping or some grazing.
Shaking is when a goose fluffs their feathers and shakes off, much like a wet dog. This occurs in many contexts. Geese shake when leaving a body of water to remove most of the water from their feathers and thus prevent bacterial growth or feather decay. It can also occur prior to or following a dominance display. When a dominant goose shakes prior to a physical correction on another goose, it serves as a warning and signal that they desire more space and are asserting their possession of a specific area. When a dominant goose shakes after a correction, it is usually to reiterate that they have claimed an area. When a submissive goose shakes following a correction, it is generally a protest. It is similar to a horse mock kicking following being corrected; it essentially expresses frustration and potentially disagreement, but a preference for peace over conflict. Shaking off likely also holds some of the same power in geese as in dogs; regulating the nervous system and relieving stress.
Flapping their wings following shaking essentially strongly reiterates the meaning behind shaking. Flapping following shaking after exiting water is usually an attempt to get more water off their body, or to cool off in hot weather. A dominant goose flapping without correction is a strong and very clear assertion of dominance or possession of space or a resource. A submissive goose flapping without correction is usually accompanied by a submissive head position, and tends to be an effort of self reassurance.
Head tossing, also called flagging, when accompanied by a stiff, upright posture, is generally a signal to follow. Most often, the patriarch of a family will be the one to initiate movement through head tossing. When accompanied by darting movements of the neck and frequent vocalizations, it can be either a greeting or a celebration following a successful displacement of another flock member or rival. Most often, this shaking-darting-head tossing combination is between siblings or mates, following one or multiple having been engaged in conflict and being successful in their endeavor. This same behavior is also used as a greeting between family members following a separation; the longer the separation, the more intense the display.
Shivering tends to accompany a tense body. Shivering usually only affects the neck and head. It generally signifies either tension and anxiety, or dominance. Some geese may shiver when correcting a more dominant individual, or a new individual who has an unknown ranking. This tends to be out of anxiety. Dominant individuals may shiver when interacting with an unknown individual, or following a conflict. It is generally quite uncommon for dominant individuals to shiver when correcting known submissive individuals. Geese currently raising goslings tend to be more likely to shiver when interacting with unrelated geese. This may be due to a higher level of anxiety while interacting with others due to the potential risk to their offspring if conflict arises.
Tail fanning occurs when a goose is under some form of duress, anxiety, or fear. This is generally accompanied by submissive-defensive head bobbing and hissing. Tail fanning likely serves as both an attempt to appear bigger, as well as a visual signal to nearby geese signifying a potential threat. Geese rarely fan their tails when engaging with one another; they are more likely to fan their tails during an interaction with a different species, such as humans, hawks, or dogs.
Tail shaking, also called wagging, is an appeasement signal. It follows almost every interaction between individuals. A short, low intensity tail shake is usually done by a dominant goose following a correction towards a more submissive goose. This is part of ritualized aggression, and seeks to reassure the submissive goose that despite being corrected, they are not going to be targeted. Wagging is also used to reestablish flock cohesion following minor conflicts. When done by a submissive goose, it is their method of communicating they received the message and will not engage again. Depending on what other behaviors accompany it, the submissive tail shake could display acceptance, appeasement, or frustration. Tail shaking also often occurs following certain physical activities. Any activity that could result in discomfort, injury, mishap, or display of weakness is often accompanied by a tail shake. Examples may be climbing a steep hill or jumping up a step or over a log. These actions could put a goose out of balance or lead to a mishap or injury. Thus, they shake their tails to dissipate some anxiety following the action.
Head bobbing is a frequently encountered behavior in human-goose interactions. Head bobbing is a defensive display, most often employed by mated pairs during the protection of their offspring from a perceived threat. The deeper and faster the head bobbing, the more stress the goose is under and thus more likely to escalate to a physical attack. Head bobbing is almost always accompanied by hissing as well. When dealing with potential predators, the geese may also fan their wings to appear bigger. If these warnings are not obeyed, they generally will attack. Ganders are far more likely to escalate to physical attack. Geese will also bob their heads in anticipation of a potential conflict or major fight. More often than not, it does not escalate to one of the aforementioned true fights between ganders. However, if ganders are going to fight, it will be precluded by head bobbing.
Behavior of Canada Geese
Geese have a fairly standard set of social behaviors. Many of their behaviors are related to ritualized aggression, flock cohesion, courting, and appeasement. Some of the behaviors they exhibit include, but are not limited to: snaking, hissing, striking, beating, pecking, biting, preening, shaking, shivering, flapping, head tossing, tail fanning, tail shaking, and head bobbing. These behaviors do not include their vocalizations. Vocalizations can drastically alter the meaning behind a behavior.
Snaking occurs when a goose lowers its head to the ground and outstretches its neck. Generally this behavior is used when driving another goose out of a family’s space, or away from high value resources. When a paired goose or family successfully snakes another goose away from them, they often snake towards one another, tossing their heads while making a specific brassy honk.
Hissing is a frequent behavior of geese, and often exhibited towards other species. Thus, most people are most familiar with geese hissing at them. Hissing may seem scary, but it is how geese request more space. Some geese may also hiss when they desire something; it could be likened to a dog whining or growling, and depending on context, it can hold similar meaning. As a general rule, hissing occurs out of frustration of some kind.
Striking is a common corrective behavior semi-dominant geese utilize. It is midway between the visual-vocal warnings (such as snaking and hissing) and biting. Striking is when a goose lunges at another individual and darts their neck over the other’s back. This usually happens when a goose has not responded to hissing or snaking, but in a context in which the aggressor does not feel a strong need to move the other. Some geese will do this to people, darting their necks over someone’s lap. When done to a trusted person, this behavior may be referred to as nuzzling, and usually tends to mean the goose desires something the person has.
Beating is a fairly rare behavior, and involves a goose using their wings to hit either another goose or other animal. This is usually done between dominant geese in an effort to establish which one will get access to a resource. Geese will also beat an animal they feel is threatening or hurting them or their goslings. If a goose is attempting to beat you, it is best to retreat as some geese are strong enough to cause significant damage to certain tissues.
Pecking is similar to striking, but any part of the body can be targeted. Sometimes it may be accompanied by a small nip. This is usually used between related geese when one desires more or sole access to a highly desired resource. Since geese have very strong attachments to one another, closely related geese rarely bite each other. Pecking can be fairly common, especially in presence of a valuable and limited resource.
Biting is very common among unrelated flockmates. It usually serves to increase distance, or to push another goose away from a resource. Geese may also bite subordinate flock members to protect their mate, goslings, or food source.
Preening is a very common behavior. Geese preen every time they get wet, hot, or tired. Flocks often preen in large groups, however, allogrooming between individuals is surprisingly rare, though not necessarily uncommon. Occasionally mates will preen one another, or their offspring. Young goslings occasionally preen one another too. When flocks preen in large groups, it seems to be a bonding activity. Preening together seems to improve flock cohesion. This activity is also usually followed by napping or some grazing.
Shaking is when a goose fluffs their feathers and shakes off, much like a wet dog. This occurs in many contexts. Geese shake when leaving a body of water to remove most of the water from their feathers and thus prevent bacterial growth or feather decay. It can also occur prior to or following a dominance display. When a dominant goose shakes prior to a physical correction on another goose, it serves as a warning and signal that they desire more space and are asserting their possession of a specific area. When a dominant goose shakes after a correction, it is usually to reiterate that they have claimed an area. When a submissive goose shakes following a correction, it is generally a protest. It is similar to a horse mock kicking following being corrected; it essentially expresses frustration and potentially disagreement, but a preference for peace over conflict. Shaking off likely also holds some of the same power in geese as in dogs; regulating the nervous system and relieving stress.
Flapping their wings following shaking essentially strongly reiterates the meaning behind shaking. Flapping following shaking after exiting water is usually an attempt to get more water off their body, or to cool off in hot weather. A dominant goose flapping without correction is a strong and very clear assertion of dominance or possession of space or a resource. A submissive goose flapping without correction is usually accompanied by a submissive head position, and tends to be an effort of self reassurance.
Head tossing, also called flagging, when accompanied by a stiff, upright posture, is generally a signal to follow. Most often, the patriarch of a family will be the one to initiate movement through head tossing. When accompanied by darting movements of the neck and frequent vocalizations, it can be either a greeting or a celebration following a successful displacement of another flock member or rival. Most often, this shaking-darting-head tossing combination is between siblings or mates, following one or multiple having been engaged in conflict and being successful in their endeavor. This same behavior is also used as a greeting between family members following a separation; the longer the separation, the more intense the display.
Shivering tends to accompany a tense body. Shivering usually only affects the neck and head. It generally signifies either tension and anxiety, or dominance. Some geese may shiver when correcting a more dominant individual, or a new individual who has an unknown ranking. This tends to be out of anxiety. Dominant individuals may shiver when interacting with an unknown individual, or following a conflict. It is generally quite uncommon for dominant individuals to shiver when correcting known submissive individuals. Geese currently raising goslings tend to be more likely to shiver when interacting with unrelated geese. This may be due to a higher level of anxiety while interacting with others due to the potential risk to their offspring if conflict arises.
Tail fanning occurs when a goose is under some form of duress, anxiety, or fear. This is generally accompanied by submissive-defensive head bobbing and hissing. Tail fanning likely serves as both an attempt to appear bigger, as well as a visual signal to nearby geese signifying a potential threat. Geese rarely fan their tails when engaging with one another; they are more likely to fan their tails during an interaction with a different species, such as humans, hawks, or dogs.
Tail shaking, also called wagging, is an appeasement signal. It follows almost every interaction between individuals. A short, low intensity tail shake is usually done by a dominant goose following a correction towards a more submissive goose. This is part of ritualized aggression, and seeks to reassure the submissive goose that despite being corrected, they are not going to be targeted. Wagging is also used to reestablish flock cohesion following minor conflicts. When done by a submissive goose, it is their method of communicating they received the message and will not engage again. Depending on what other behaviors accompany it, the submissive tail shake could display acceptance, appeasement, or frustration. Tail shaking also often occurs following certain physical activities. Any activity that could result in discomfort, injury, mishap, or display of weakness is often accompanied by a tail shake. Examples may be climbing a steep hill or jumping up a step or over a log. These actions could put a goose out of balance or lead to a mishap or injury. Thus, they shake their tails to dissipate some anxiety following the action.
Head bobbing is a frequently encountered behavior in human-goose interactions. Head bobbing is a defensive display, most often employed by mated pairs during the protection of their offspring from a perceived threat. The deeper and faster the head bobbing, the more stress the goose is under and thus more likely to escalate to a physical attack. Head bobbing is almost always accompanied by hissing as well. When dealing with potential predators, the geese may also fan their wings to appear bigger. If these warnings are not obeyed, they generally will attack. Ganders are far more likely to escalate to physical attack. Geese will also bob their heads in anticipation of a potential conflict or major fight. More often than not, it does not escalate to one of the aforementioned true fights between ganders. However, if ganders are going to fight, it will be precluded by head bobbing.
