Goose

Lore & Background

Geese are monogamous, living in permanent pairs throughout the year; however, unlike most other permanently monogamous animals, they are territorial only during the short nesting season. Paired geese are more dominant and feed more, two factors that result in more young. Most goose species are migratory, though populations of Canada geese living near human developments may remain in a locality year-round. These 'resident' geese, found primarily in the eastern United States, may migrate only short distances, or not at all, if they have adequate food supply and access to open water. Migratory geese may use several environmental cues in timing the beginning of their migration, including temperature, predation threat, and food availability. Like all migratory birds, geese exhibit an ability to navigate using an internal compass, using a combination of innate and learned behaviors. The preferred direction of migration is heritable, and birds appear to orient themselves using Earth's magnetic field. Migrations occur over the course of several weeks, and up to 85% of migration time is spent at perennial stopover sites, where individuals rest and build up fat stores for further travel. Geese, like other birds, fly in a V formation. This formation helps to conserve energy in flight, and aids in communication and monitoring of flock mates. Using great white pelicans as a model species, researchers showed that flying in a V formation increased the aerodynamics of trailing birds, thus requiring fewer wing flaps to stay aloft and lowering individuals' heartrates. Leading geese switch positions on longer flights to allow for multiple individuals to gain benefits from the less energy-intensive trailing positions; in family groups, parental birds almost always lead.

Reader's Guide

Geese have been a significant part of human culture and language for centuries. The word 'goose' is a direct descendant of Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰh₂éns, with cognates across many Indo-European languages, including Latin anser, Ancient Greek khēn, and Sanskrit haṃsa. This linguistic heritage underscores the bird's long-standing presence in human societies. In popular culture, geese appear in numerous sayings and phrases. 'What's good for the goose is good for the gander' supports equality, often in the context of sex and gender. 'Killing the goose that lays the golden eggs', from Aesop's Fables, warns against greed. 'A wild goose chase' describes a futile effort. The term 'goose egg' can refer to a swelling from an impact injury or the number zero. The oldest collection of Medieval Icelandic laws is known as 'Grágás' (Gray Goose Laws), possibly named because the laws were written with a goose quill, bound in goose skin, or because geese were believed to live longer than other birds. Geese thus hold a unique place in both natural history and human culture, serving as symbols, subjects of folklore, and objects of scientific study.

Did You Know?

• The collective noun for a group of geese on the ground is a gaggle; when in flight, they are called a skein, a team, or a wedge; when flying close together, they are called a plump.
• The fossil Garganornis ballmanni from the Late Miocene of Italy stood one and a half meters tall, weighed about 22 kilograms, and was flightless.
• Geese are monogamous, living in permanent pairs throughout the year, but are territorial only during the short nesting season.
• The oldest collection of Medieval Icelandic laws is known as 'Grágás' (Gray Goose Laws), possibly named because the laws were written with a goose quill.