Non-Migratory Canada Goose Question.

[muscovy94]

Hey all i have a question. I have been reading on the computer about how some canada are non migratory. and i also heard that most breed and lay up north. Well we have a pair of canadas that always come here every year around easter and lay eggs. and I know that canadas fly south in the winter, but if they lay eggs here, and they are already in the south, do they just stay here in mississippi or what? where do they go if they are already in the south? sorry if this question is kinda confusing.

 

[bigzio]

I think you are you refering to the geese that don't migrate and remain in the open waters that provide them a lifeline?

While all the migrating flock do indeed lay north and later fly south with their brood....some choose to stay where feed and water provides them the ability to choose that route.

bigzio

 

[muscovy94]

Quote:
so if the ones that lay where i live lay and hatch their eggs this far south, are they the ones that dont migrate and stay here?

 

[muscovy94]

ANYONE?

 

[bigzio]

Yep, those indeed are there to stay. The young aren't going anywhere and neither is mom.

South is only as far as they are willing to go.

Could be a older goose that figures this will work ok!

bigzio

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

Yall are right.
Over the past decade or so both the Canada and snow geese populations have exploded, especially the snows. So with the massive crowds of birds, nature just finds a way, and some birds become locals to an area as room is running out in their normal ranges.
We have them do the same thing here in south GA, in the 1000's.
Yet, 15 years ago, I had never seen a wild goose here in my life, now they are nearly a nussance on many local farms.

P.S. You are also right as "NATURALLY" most all waterfowl tend to nest in the great lakes area and north into Canada, but that's changeing too!
Aubrey

 

[deerman]

We have some here in Ohio, that breed here then fly south.

If they are hatch there, that is where they will return to in the spring,if they do go south.

 

[moduckman]

They are called resident geese. Here in Missouri we have quite a few. They may fly south, but never further north. Many live here year round, frozen water or not.

 

[GotCochins?]

giant canadas are known to be non migratory.there are resident populations throughout the U.S. that stay year around.they are different (habit wise) than the other canadas that move up and down the flyway.

 

[vfem]

We have many that 'migrate' to our pond in the winter. However, there is a small group that I've seen year round on and off at a larger pond near a horse pasture off our road.

I swear they aren't even the same breed of canada geese. The one's that I've seen since summer on the pasture pond seem slightly larger then the ones who have visited our pond this winter. I thought I was seeing things, but hubby randomly mentioned it as well. The stayers are much bigger then the migratory ones! Strange?!