Abandoned Goslings

[Riasgoslings]

Hello,

I live in an apartment that overlooks a canal and we have been watching a family of 5 (Canada) goslings with 2 parents. We have been watching them for a week and a bit and they are always together even this morning they were all together. Now it appears the parents have left them alone and they seem extremely distressed swimming around looking and won't stop chirping. Basically I just want to know whether this is normal and the parents will return or should I can a wildlife protection place or even take them in. It just seems strange as there are 5 of them and we have never seen them without an adult goose with them.

Thank you!

 

[R2elk]

Hello,

I live in an apartment that overlooks a canal and we have been watching a family of 5 (Canada) goslings with 2 parents. We have been watching them for a week and a bit and they are always together even this morning they were all together. Now it appears the parents have left them alone and they seem extremely distressed swimming around looking and won't stop chirping. Basically I just want to know whether this is normal and the parents will return or should I can a wildlife protection place or even take them in. It just seems strange as there are 5 of them and we have never seen them without an adult goose with them.

Thank you!

Observe them from a distance for awhile. If the adults don't return, you can contact your local game warden or DNR agent.

 

[Riasgoslings]

Thank you so much for this they finally came back we think that a kayaker scared them off but they left the babies!

 

[R2elk]

Thank you so much for this they finally came back we think that a kayaker scared them off but they left the babies!

It is common for the adults to leave as decoys when a perceived danger gets too close to the nest. I have personally watched Robins and Killdeer use the "broken wing" ploy to lead intruders away from the nest. Once they have led the intruder far enough away, they suddenly regain full use of the wing and fly back to the nest although they do not go straight back.