Canada Geese
Our Geese Solutions
Based upon our inspection and your answers to the questions below, we will determine exactly what bird control method will rid you of your goose problem and implement it quickly and efficiently. We use many different methods of bird control so that we can ensure you are getting exactly the type of control you need. Select the options below if you are interested in learning more about the control methods we use.
Geese Control Professionals
You do not want to deal with a geese problem on your own, especially with how nasty these birds are prone to being when disturbed. Hiring a professional bird control company can be your best bet to get the whole thing resolved as quickly as possible. The damage caused by birds runs US residents millions of dollars each year and it can cost individuals more than they can afford. This is one reason why we focus on every aspect of bird control, to help you save a lot of money in the long run.
There are several Geese Management Control options that are available. Each control methods have pros and cons and varying expense associated with the method. It is important to understand that the success of each control method will vary depending upon the implementation time frame and the frequency of treatment. For example, if a control method is implemented late in the season after the geese have had a chance to establish nesting, the treatment will be less likely to succeed.
Several control options may need to be integrated to manage the geese populations, which can depend upon the time of year, how severe the bird pressure is, property features, and the size of the affected area.
Let Aviaway develop a bird management program to remedy your specific goose problem. With over 30 years of designing and installing bird control systems, Aviaway will ensure that the bird control program solves your specific bird problem.
We think about what you need when developing a custom plan for your geese problem. We take several factors into consideration, inlcuding:
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How long has the geese problem been going on?
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How many geese, and how big is the problem area?
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Do they have a food or water source nearby?
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Are there any mechanical or structural problems allowing a food or water source to develop?
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Are the geese nesting, loafing, or roosting?
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Is heavy nesting causing fire hazards?
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Do surrounding buildings also have a bird problem?
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Are there bird droppings along walkways or parking areas?
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Are there any liability issues due to the geese infestation?
About Canada Geese
There is nothing more majestic or awe-inspiring than a V formation of Canada geese flying south for the winter. The birds usually winter in the southern United States and spend the summer in more northern areas including most of Canada. Canada geese have been known to find areas of the United States that provide all the needs for living and remain in that area all year long. (Resident geese vs. Migratory Geese). In New Jersey, the population of resident geese has been on the rise.
One of the unique characteristics of the Canada Goose and one of the sources of the problems that the birds cause is the bird’s ready acclimation to people and manmade habitats, which they use for nesting or food sources. Canada Geese are a protected bird species under the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 USCS 703-712). As such, this bird species cannot be harmed in any way.
Taxonomy
Order:
Family:
Genus:
Species:
Subspecies:
Anseriformes
Anatidae
Branta
Branta Canadensis
B. c. canadensis, B. c. interior,
B. c. maxima, B. c. moffitti, B. c. fulva, B. c. occidentalis, B. c. parvipes
Specifically, this bird species is protected under U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Within the state of New Jersey, the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife (NJDFW) agency provides protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Federal Regulations (50 CFR 10, 13, 20 & 21), NJ Statutes Annotated Title 23, and the NJ Game Code.
Evolutionary Traits
The Canada Goose has many evolutionary adaptations that make it suited to its environment. These traits include webbed feet for swimming, sharp eyesight and hearing, as well as oil glands that can make their feathers waterproof.
Additionally, the Canadian goose can drink saltwater for small periods of time due to salt glands they can turn on, making them capable of living in areas with large bodies of water like the Great Lakes. If they do intake too much saltwater, however, they can still die.
Canada Geese are large birds with a white head, neck, tail, and belly, while the remainder of the body has brown feathers. The most common color of a Canada Goose is black and white, but they can also come in shades of brown, gray, and even with a slight lavender tint. One identifying feature of Canada geese is black markings on their head and necks.
The male Canada goose is smaller than the female by about 10%. Both males and females look the same in coloring, but the female tends to be slightly larger. The subspecies B.c. Maxima, also known as the Giant Canada Goose, is the largest geese species in the world, with some individuals weighing in at 20 lbs.
The Canada Goose is one of the oldest bird species in North America, with fossils dating back to the late Pleistocene era, commonly known as the Ice Age. Canada Geese can be found in the fossil record dating back to 40,000 years ago. It was also found that Canada Geese subspecies are paraphyletic, meaning that while they share a common ancestor, the descendants that eventually made each of the subspecies of Canada Geese differed.
Diet
Canada Geese are mainly herbivores though they sometimes eat small insects and fish. As Canada Geese sometimes live and roam in areas near humans, they are also often fed human-made food and will pick through garbage for food. If food is not available in the habitat, Canada Geese can go up to thirty days without eating.
In addition to food, Canada Geese also need water for swimming and bathing and often make any pond or lake their home, including sites like the Washington Monument. They have a tendency to enjoy marshy areas and freshly cut and cared for lawns such as college campuses and golf ranges are a common resting and feeding ground for these birds.
Behavior
Canada Geese are considered very social animals and can often be seen in large groups. They are also one of the most aggressive bird species when it comes to defending their territory. Most Canada Geese will attack humans, dogs, cats, and even other animals if they feel like these animals threaten their home. In the past decade, there have been several cases of aggressive Canada Geese attacking joggers, bicyclists, and even small children who came too close to their nests or babies. Canada Geese are also known for vocalizing loudly. They will even do this in the middle of the night if they feel threatened by changing their environment or mating season.
Life Cycle
Reproduction
Canada geese begin nesting at 3 years of age, and lay between four and nine eggs per year. The average is five. The female lays one egg every one to two days during nesting season, usually early in the morning. She does not leave the nest, eat, drink, or bathe while the eggs are incubating. Geese are very aggressive when protecting their nest and eggs, so if you happen across a pair of Canada Geese that are nesting, it is wise to steer clear.
While it may be very inconvenient to have this water fowl nesting on your property as they are very defensive and noisy, once eggs are produced it becomes protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty and cannot be disturbed. Fortunately Canada Geese only have an incubation period of around 28 days, which is the average for all water fowl.
These water fowl like to make their nest in an open and unobstructed area, usually near water at a slight elevation. They do this so they area able to look out for any predators in the area. Because undisturbed natural habitats for nesting is at a decrease, they are often found nesting in urban areas. In some cases, these waterfowl are known to reuse abandoned nests of other large bird species, such as eagles or osprey.
Egg Description
