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, 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
• Snow Geese

Specific Needs Group referenced in Management Techniques

• Grazing Waterfowl (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 300m² (or 200m²  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:

• Ross's geese are hardy and easy to manage. They should be provided with a large area of grazing and clear, pure water. They usually mix well with other waterfowl, and tend to remain if kept full-winged. In addition to grass, they may be fed wheat, pellets, greenfood, and bread: plenty of green food, and avoid overfeeding.
• These geese are fairly easy to breed. They appreciate some natural cover for breeding, and they usually lay from May to June.
• Hybrids reported with Anser anser - Greylag goose, Anser caerulescens - Snow goose, Anser canagica - Emperor goose, Branta ruficollis - Red-breasted goose.

(B29, B40, B94, B96, B97, B108).

Aviornis UK Ringing Scheme suggested average closed ring size: N 13.0mm (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

From about three weeks old, broods join to form large crèches.

Social Behaviour

Sexual Behaviour

Predation in Wild

Activity Patterns

Adults

Newly-hatched

Distribution and Movement (Migration etc.)

Arctic Canada, mainly in region of Perry river.

Migratory. Winters in California (Sacramento valley), New Mexico, Gulf coast of USA.

Vagrant to other areas of USA and possibly to north-west Europe.

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Habitat

Intraspecific variation

Conservation Status

Not considered threatened (B1).

Captive Populations

Trade