There's a large flock of migrating canada geese on our pond right now. One of them is separate from the others and looks/acts strange. It's very still and quiet, just stands and watches us move around nearby. When we approach too close, it moves away, very slowly. It's neck feathers are fluffed up a bit, so it doesn't have the same sleek appearance of most wild Canada geese. The colors are exactly like the other canada geese--if they weren't I would guess it was a cross with a domestic goose, because its shape is so different. But I think the stockiness I'm seeing is due to the feathers being in strange condition, and the tucked-in way it's carrying its head.
Anyway--there's nothing I can do directly, I know. For one thing, it would be illegal for me to handle it. For another, I don't have space. Finally, I'm not really inclined to invest a lot in it. But I do want to know if it's likely to be carrying anything that might be contagious to me two geese or my yard full of ducks. And also whether I should leave it alone and hope it recovers, or if I should call someone to come remove it. Or something else...
Thoughts?
Anyway--there's nothing I can do directly, I know. For one thing, it would be illegal for me to handle it. For another, I don't have space. Finally, I'm not really inclined to invest a lot in it. But I do want to know if it's likely to be carrying anything that might be contagious to me two geese or my yard full of ducks. And also whether I should leave it alone and hope it recovers, or if I should call someone to come remove it. Or something else...
Thoughts?