Recent trends in the winter population of Canada geese (Branta canadensis) in Wichita, Kansas: 1998–2003

Abstract

Our long-term study of winter Canada goose (Branta canadensis) populations began in January 1983, when 1600 individuals were counted within the Wichita city limits. By 1997, we reported in this Transactions that the winter Canada goose population had increased to an estimated 13,000 birds. Since then, the number of geese has increased almost steadily, and in 2003 we estimated >18,000 birds. Goose flocks tend to be small to medium-sized, and birds are associated with three major habitats: grass, water, and agricultural fields.The winter Canada goose population in Wichita has followed a strong pattern of linear increase. Our winter estimates of Canada goose populations in Wichita closely parallel those for the annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) for both the city of Wichita and the state of Kansas. We discuss possible causes for the >10-fold increase in the size of winter goose populations, and discuss some implications of the continued growth of Canada goose populations for cities like Wichita.