INDIANA – Canada geese begin scouting for nesting areas in February. If you want to keep geese off your property, now is the time to start preparing.
Geese prefer to nest near water surrounded by short, mowed grass and often return to where they have had previous nesting success. Well-kept lawns provide geese with food and a clear line of sight to see predators.
Many breeding pairs begin scouting for nesting locations in late February and most problems occur March through June during the nesting season. Egg-laying begins soon after nest construction is complete. Female Canada geese lay one egg every 1.5 days and the average clutch size is 5. Incubation of eggs begins after the last egg is laid and lasts approximately 28 days.
After hatching, goslings are incapable of flight for about 70 days, so the young birds and their parents will graze near the hatching area for that time. Adults also molt their flight feathers near the end of June, rendering them flightless for 15 to 20 days.
Using harassment techniques, installing fencing, and stopping supplemental feeding can help to prevent unwanted nesting on your property. Efforts to deter Canada geese are not effective if supplemental foods such as bread or birdseed are provided.
Geese are particularly aggressive during breeding and nesting seasons as both males and females defend their nests. Their behavior can cause problems around businesses and other infrastructures when geese attack workers, residents, and customers.
Recognizing aggressive behavior in geese may help people avoid conflicts with geese. If defensive behaviors are observed, people should slowly walk away and give the goose space. Most injuries from geese occur due to tripping and falling while trying to run from geese. Defensive postures include head pumping, an open bill, hissing, honking, and wing flapping.
