Alternative Names (Synonyms)

Names for newly-hatched

Names for non-breeding males or other colour-phases

References

Species Author

Major References

Aviculture references:
B7, B29, B30, B31, B40, B94, B95, B96, B97,B108, B128.w1, B129
D1, D8

Other References

TAXA Group (where information has been collated for an entire group on a modular basis)

Parent Group

• Waterfowl
• Geese
• Northern (True) Geese
• Grey Geese

Specific Needs Group referenced in Management Techniques

• Grazing Waterfowl (D1)
• Aggressive Birds (Category 1.) (D1)

Aviculture Information

Notes

• Northern (True) Geese are generally hardy and easy to manage. They are usually gregarious and many species may be kept in flocks, however they tend to be territorial and aggressive in the breeding season and some may need to be maintained in separate pens. It is often possible to keep small ducks with pairs of geese, unless the individual goose pair is particularly pugnacious. They should always be provided with adequate water for swimming.
• For a single pair of geese a total pen area of 300mē (or 200mē  for smaller species, e.g. Branta ruficollis - Red-breasted goose), with at least 20% of this area water is suggested, although more water should be provided if possible in a larger pen (D1).
• Geese are grazers and should have access to good short grass (less than 3 inches, 7.5cm long) for grazing. When grass is scarce, it may be supplemented with greenfood such as cabbage, lettuce etc.; alfalfa pellets have also been used for this purpose. Additional grain and pellets should be given, with a change to breeder pellets in the breeding season, at which time less or no grain may be fed. Breeding success may be decreased if these species are allowed to become too fat and this can be problematic particularly for the species which normally breed in the high Arctic.
• Goslings may be parent hatched and reared, although being mainly terrestrial they are more vulnerable to predation than are cygnets. Whether parent or hand-reared, goslings should be provided with unlimited grazing and other green food such as chopped lettuce, as well as starter crumbs.
• Geese species may hybridise with one another, but this is not usually a problem if they are well paired before being mixed with other birds.

(B7, B29, B30, B40, B94, B95, B108, B128.w1, B129, D1)

Species-specific information:

• Emperor geese are winter - hardy and easy to manage. A large area of grazing and lake of clear water preferred. They defend their nesting territory, therefore should be maintained in large area and a separate pen may be preferred for breeding. Good grazing will provide most of their food, with grain, pellets, bread and additional greenfood.
• These geese are easily bred in captivity. They nest in short grass with islands favoured for nesting, and they may also use ground-level nest boxes. Egg laying may begin end of April (Slimbridge, UK), early May (Tierpark Berlin, Germany), end of May/early June (Peakirk, UK). Goslings are best pest parent-incubated and parent-reared. Goslings are fast growing and easy to rear, but need shelter protection from excessive heat and strong sunlight.
• This species is known to hybridise occasionally with other Anser spp., and hybrids also reported with Branta bernicla - Brent goose and Chloephaga picta - Upland goose (Magellan goose); singletons will often pair with Anser caerulescens - Snow goose (lesser) or Anser rossii - Ross's goose: best maintained apart or with species not closely related until paired .

(B7, B29, B31, B96, B97, B108, D1)

Aviornis UK Ringing Scheme suggested average closed ring size: R 16.0mm (S 18.0mm for some males) (D8).

Management Techniques

Measurement & Weight

Head

Legs

Plumage

Newly-hatched Characteristics

Nest placement and structure

Egg clutches

Incubation

Hatching

Fledging

Sexual Maturity

Feeding Behaviour

Parental Behaviour

Remain with parents until the next breeding season.

Social Behaviour

Sexual Behaviour

Predation in Wild

Activity Patterns

Adults

Newly-hatched

Distribution and Movement (Migration etc.)

North-eastern Siberia, western Alaska.

Migratory, to Aleutian Islands, Gulf of Alaska and (in smaller numbers) Kamchatka.

Occasionally further south: reported from California, Hawaii and Japan.

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Habitat

Intraspecific variation

Conservation Status

Not globally threatened, but the western Alaskan population has declined (B1).

Captive Populations

Trade