AMERICA'S #1 BIRD CONTROL COMPANY

Pest Birds: Canadian Geese

The Canada goose is native to North America and is afforded protection through the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

However, this species has adapted very well to its environment and many of the flocks are now non‐migratory residents. Our corporate parks, golf courses, and residential communities have given the geese perfect year-round accommodations.



These stocky birds are grayish-brown with a pale breast and long black neck. The head is black with a white band beneath.

There are approximately 3 million Canadian geese nationwide.

Geese prefer to nest in and around protective vegetation near water. The nest itself is usually a simple open cup lined with dry grasses, moss, and feathers.

Geese will fiercely defend their nesting site. They become aggressive and vocal when their nest is threatened.

Two to eight eggs are laid and take around 30 days to incubate. The chicks become mobile in about a day and have the ability to swim and follow their parents around looking for food. Chicks are capable of flight in about 6-7 weeks.

Geese are herbivorous and feed on aquatic vegetation, grasses, seeds, grain, and berries.

Damage by Geese

Canada geese are responsible for countless thousands of dollars in damage to lawns and golf courses. The bigger problem comes from the health related issues of their droppings in reservoirs, ponds, and on ball fields.

Goose droppings harbor many disease pathogens.



Air safety is constantly threatened and geese are responsible for having downed aircraft worldwide. Over 1400 strikes with civil aircraft have been reported in the U.S. since 1990.



US Airways flight 1549 makes a crash landing in the Hudson River shortly after the captain radioed that they had experienced a bird strike.