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I have been checking the dug outs around town. The most Goslings I have seen with a breeding pair of Canadas is two. I was wondering what the average numbers are in your areas. I was also wondering if the city here is using something to control the breeding numbers. I will look into that, any opinions?
Around here raccoons control #'s pretty good. I saw an Osprey with a duckling yesterday.
There are pairs around here with a dozen or so.
My guess would be six on average, depends on the number of predators in the area. Two weeks ago I saw a pair with 17 but I have to wonder if some adults had been killed and the remaining adults joined up. The Eagles here on the coast take a lot of goslings I know for sure.
Adult geese sometimes take on more than their own clutches, forming 'gang broods' of up to five clutches, especially in urban areas. Single clutches can range from 2-6 eggs.
The "Goose Couple" here had 3 two weeks ago. Last week there were none. Something must have got them....
That would explain the goslings not being all the same size although I still suspect some adults were lost.Quote:
Originally Posted by jobbershunting
Jobbers right, Once the geese get ready to molt and become flightless, the family groups usually gang up for a safety in numbers type thing. Also Some parents are incredibly aggressive and will steal gosling from other parents. It has been documented that non-breeding couples sometimes steal gosling from less aggressive parents as well, the idea is some Canada geese parents welcome other gosling's into their family because a larger family is a more dominating family. From what you describe it sounds like your town has a goose management strategy in place and is in the process of implementing an egg oiling program to control their goose population and encourage their "resident" geese to move to another area. I use mineral oil to coat the eggs on the properties that I manage.
Last Thursday I saw a pair of geese with 4 goslings.
The pair on our pond had 13 one day. Only 7 now. I think the neighbourhood fox is picking them off. Good fox!