Geese are waterfowl belonging to the tribe Anserini of the family Anatidae. This tribe comprises the genera Anser, Branta and Chen. A number of other birds, mostly related to the shelducks, have “goose” as part of their names.
Fast Facts about Geese
1. There are around 29 known species of geese around the world including Canadian geese and Snowy geese.
2. The goose eats mainly grains, snails, frogs and small animals
3. The collective name for a group is a gaggle. When geese fly in formation they are called a wedge or a skein
4. The goose will honk as a form of communication
5. Geese can live almost anywhere. They like fields, parks and grassy areas near water.
6. Geese tend to have the same mating partners for their entire lives, and if not all of it then most of it.
7. Geese fly in a “V” formation. If one goose is injured, other geese will stay with it until it dies or can rejoin the flock.
8. Male geese protect the nest while the female geese sit on the eggs.
9. The main predators of the goose are foxes, wild dogs, raccoons and birds that predominately prey on the goose eggs and newborn baby geese.
10. Males are called gander. Females are called goose. The names given to babies are goslings
