Goose Breeds Research Articles

Goose Populations of the Western Palearctic. A Review of Status and Distribution

Pp. 344. Wetlands International Publication No. 48. Wetlands International, Wageningen, The Netherlands. National Environment Research Institute, Ronde, Denmark. £25 (hardback), ISBN 87-7772-437-2. The idea for this book was first raised in 1995 and although it has been 4 years in the making it has certainly been well worth the wait. The review collates, for the first time, a vast wealth of information gathered over the last 40–50 years relating to the numbers, trends, distribution, ecology, recent history and conservation status of all goose populations in the Western Palearctic. This enormous task has been expertly tackled by careful editing of text from 19 principal authors, 56 co-authors and 23 contributors. The result is a readable, informative and comprehensive review, imaginatively illustrated throughout by accurate tables, figures and maps. Geese breeding in an area extending from north-eastern Canada in the west to North Siberia in the east spend the winter in the temperate and Mediterranean zone of the Western Palearctic. Nine species occur regularly, one of which, the Canada goose has been introduced. The book considers 23 populations separately, devoting a chapter to each of the two populations of bean, pink-footed, white-fronted (the four Eurasian populations frequenting different wintering areas and traditionally considered separately are considered as one here), Canada and light-bellied brent goose, three barnacle goose populations, eight populations of greylag goose and the single populations of lesser white-fronted, dark-bellied brent and red-breasted goose. Each chapter is divided into six sections. The first, a ’population review’, outlines the species range, flyways and general trends in population size, breeding success and mortality. Three detailed sections then consider the breeding, staging and wintering areas on a country-by-country basis. These cover distribution, feeding ecology, past and present research activities (e.g. census programmes and banding/ringing schemes) protection and conservation and, for breeding areas only, breeding biology, moult migration and moulting areas. A brief discussion concludes each chapter summarising the population status, conservation issues, agricultural conflicts and future research needs. The text is extensively referenced, each chapter being supported by an extensive and up-to-date bibliography. In the general introduction that precedes these species accounts, the editors suggest that few can remain ‘unmoved by the sight and sound of several hundred wild geese lifting into the air in a clamour of cries and thrashing of wings’. Although the text is factual throughout, the editors capture some of the awe felt by the many birdwatchers and researchers who have contributed to it, through a series of beautiful photographs that provide the backdrop for the opening page in each chapter. Inevitably, the level of knowledge and information varies considerably between populations but this does not detract from the interest or authority of the book. Extensive long-term research, for species such as the Svalbard barnacle goose and the white-fronted goose, are reviewed in remarkable detail. Sections on less well studied species, such as the red-breasted goose, still provide valuable summaries of available data and serve to highlight important information gaps and research needs. Careful editing, with standardized figures, maps and tables, means that, unlike so many reviews, this one reads as a book rather than a collection of chapters. This is despite the fact that, as the editors acknowledge, different goose populations necessitated different treatments and different authors adopt different styles. Although aimed at a broad audience, this review is written first and foremost for the international goose research and nature conservation management community as a source of reference. The editors do not set out to offer a new synthesis and they acknowledge that, in such a diverse and active research field, information becomes out-of-date very quickly. But this book will provide a common source document for goose populations and trends for some time. It is also very timely. Many of the species of geese considered are increasingly causing conflict with agriculture in Europe. So far management solutions have been developed at local or regional levels, but it is becoming increasingly evident that satisfactory solutions can only be devised on a flyway basis. This book provides information of direct relevance to international agreements, such as that on the Conservation of African Eurasian Waterbirds, and allows managers to set local situations in a wider perspective. In short, the book is an essential buy for anyone who has, or is, studying or managing goose populations.

Relationship of increase in body weight, fattened liver weight and liver quality in geese of different breeds, determined on the basis of force feeding methods

From the age of 9 weeks, 90-90 Kolos, Gourmaud and Babati goose breeds were force fed with 2 different types of technology and 3 types of feedstuff. Force feeding technologies were the traditional Hungarian and Israeli soft groats quick methods. In the case of the latter, feedstuff was fed both in a pre-fermented (Lactobacillus plantarumlactic acid bacteria) form and without fermentation. Frequency of daily force feeding was gradually increased from 2 to 6 until the 21st day of force feeding. Live weight before and after fattening and liver weight were measured in the case of each breed and treatment. Liver quality was also determined. On the basis of our results, differences in liver weight average were significantly influenced only by the genetic property of the breed. Liver quality was also influenced by the method of force feeding of one breed (Babati). Feedstuff tested did not result in significant differences in liver weight or in liver quality. Independently of the breed very close correlation was ...

Influence des conditions d'élevage de l'oie sur la production de foie gras et de viande

Influence of goose breeding conditions on the meat and fatty liver production. Under natural breeding conditions, goslings hatch in spring. Unfortunately, the most important market occurs at the end of the year. It would be interesting if the growing period could be exten- ded without introducing a large increase in feed costs. The effects of such a farming system on the production of fatty liver and meat was explored in an experiment involving three different far- ming and feeding styles. A group of 240 goslings, which hatched on 23 April, were raised iden- tically until attaining 8 weeks of age. At this time one half (group 1 ) was given access to a pas- ture. Their diet was complemented with corn. The other half (group 2) received a daily allotment of a finishing feed, and did not have access to the pasture. A third group of 120 goslings hatched 10 weeks after the first two, and was raised in the same manner as group 2 until they were 14 weeks old. At this time, all three groups of goslings entered the force-feeding period. The birds from group 1 had weights pre-force-feeding, during force-feeding, and at slaughter that were significantly hea- vier than those of the birds from group 2, which, in turn, were greater than those of group 3. The liver weights were also significantly different: 984, 848, and 725 g for groups 1, 2 and 3, res- pectively. These differences were no longer significant, however, after the livers were treated (final weights: 606, 595, and 573 g, respectively). The weights of the meat (breast muscle) cuts were also significantly different: 305, 259, and 236 g, respectively. Raising goslings on pasture, there- fore, makes it possible to produce better fatty liver and meat than traditional methods (such as those used for group 3). The feed costs are nearly identical (group 1 is 8% higher than group 3). The costs for group 2, which did not have access to pasture, however, were much greater (50%). (© Else-

Improvements in the reproductive characteristic of Hungarian Upgraded and Grey Landes geese in Hungary

Since 1969 the Hungarian Upgraded and Grey Landes breeds of geese have been improved at the Goose Breeding Research Station of Gödöllö University of Agricultural Sciences at Babatpuszta. An overview of 15 years history of these two breeds shows an average annual increase in egg production of almost one egg and average annual improvements of 1% in fertility and one day old goslings per year. These improvements are attributed to the results of selection carried out between 1978 and 1992.

Relationships between storage and secretion of hepatic lipids in two breeds of geese with different susceptibility to liver steatosis

Susceptibility to liver steatosis was studied in Landes and Poland geese, which are hyper- and hyporesponsive, respectively, to overfeeding. Plasma lipoproteins were characterized at different stages of the overfeeding process, whereas fatty liver composition was determined after completion of overfeeding and slaughtering. Before overfeeding, plasma lipoprotein profile was typical of birds in both breeds, except that very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) were low in triglyceride (approximately 30%). Moreover, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) concentration was higher in the Poland geese (6.44 vs 4.97 g/L). During overfeeding, hepatic lipogenesis was increased, and fatty liver resulted from accumulation of primarily triglyceride (approximately 95% of lipid content), but also of all other lipids. This accumulation was significantly greater in the Landes geese for all lipids but phospholipid. Thus, the liver weight was 100% higher in this breed (1,005 g vs 485 g), whereas lipid release during sterilization was twofold higher (26.3 vs 7.5%). Parallel, plasma concentration and triglyceride content of hepatic lipoproteins, VLDL and HDL, increased about one- to twofold, this effect being greater in the Poland geese. Therefore, channeling of triglyceride towards secretion rather than in situ storage may be responsible for the hyporesponsiveness of this breed to overfeeding. In both breeds, and especially in the Landes geese, a relative deficiency in phospholipid synthesis together with an enhanced secretion may be limiting factors of hepatocyte hypertrophia and, therefore, of steatosis.

Distribution of Barheaded Goose in China

This article lists the distribution of Bar headed Goose in China. Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus) breeds in the western part of China, mainly in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau area and wintering in the south west part of China. Occasionally it appears in the middle and lower course of the Yangtze river. It is estimated that about 10,000 pairs are breeding in China each year.

Predicting Breeding Success of Atlantic Population Canada Geese from Meteorological Variables

Management strategies for sustained harvest and long-term viability of Atlantic Population Canada geese (Branta canadensis) require evaluations of annual breeding success before establishing fall harvest regulations. The only quantitative measure of the annual breeding success of this population is the proportion of young geese in the fall harvest that is not available when harvest regulations are set in late July. Because the majority of Atlantic Population Canada geese breed in the sub-arctic regions of the Ungava Peninsula in northern Quebec, spring climatic conditions are potential predictors of annual production for this population. We used tail-fan data from the Maryland harvest to calculate an index of the proportion of young geese (Y,) in the fall population, 1963-94. We used 1963-87 weather data to develop multiple linear regression models to predict Y, and validated these models by predicting Y, for 1988-94. Models with the greatest predictive ability included the average daily mean temperature and the number of days of snowfall in May and June. The final model included 6 parameters and accounted for 78.7% of the total variability in Y, (P = 0.001). This analysis demonstrates the potential use of climatic data to predict an index of annual production derived from harvest age ratios. The usefulness of this technique will depend on periodic assessment of predictive models as more data is gathered, and evaluation of harvest tail-fan surveys as indices to breeding success.

Age of First Pairing and Breeding among Greenland White-Fronted Geese

The Greenland White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons flavirostris) breeds in west Greenland and winters in Britain and Ireland (Salomonsen 1950). The population fell from 17,500-23,000 in the 1950s to 14,30016,600 by the late 1970s (Ruttledge and Ogilvie 1979) and is currently estimated to be 26,700 as of November 1989 (Warren 1990). Due to its scattered wintering distribution and low productivity, this sub-species remains threatened in western Europe and there is a need to model population processes in order to provide a firm basis for conservation management. Fundamental to our understanding of the population processes amongst such long lived individuals are data relating to age-specific breeding success and survival (Owen 1980, Raveling 1981). Age of first pairing and breeding is likely to be one of the most important determinants of goose population productivity (Boyd 1956). The proportion of young in the Greenland Whitefronted Goose population each winter is low when compared with other races ofAnser albifrons, although clutch size and consequently brood size tend to be greater (Owen 1980, Fox and Stroud 1988). Egg predation appears to be a major factor influencing nesting success (Fox and Stroud 1988). Hence, the population seems to be characterized by relatively few pairs returning to the wintering grounds with young each year. Using a population of individually marked birds, we attempted to assess whether the low proportion of successfully breeding pairs of Greenland White-fronted Geese is due to deferred breeding.

The Timing of Wing Molt in Tundra Swans: Energetic and Non-Energetic Constraints

Date of wing molt initiation, based on the regression of tenth primary length on capture date, was calculated for breeding and nonbreeding Tundra Swans (Cygnus columbianus columbianus) on the Colville River Delta, Alaska. Breeding females initiated wing molt significantly later than breeding males and nonbreeding males and females; the molt of breeding females was correlated with the date on which their eggs hatched. Breeding males did not differ significantly from nonbreeding males and females in the date of molt initiation. Timing of molt in breeding males and females was consistent with the views that females delay molt while replenishing energy spent on reproduction, but was also consistent with the breeding pair's need for primaries to defend territories and to defend and brood young. Other results, including an increase in an index of female body condition throughout most of the molt period, and a positive correlation between clutch size and female hatchto-molt interval, were not predicted by the hypothesis that past energy expenditures constrain the timing of molt. Patterns of wing molt within and among other Northern Hemisphere geese and swans are also difficult to explain on the basis of energetics alone. For example, breeding females initiate molt before breeding males in many species. Also, there is extreme asynchrony between mates in two swan species; one of those species also exhibits variation in which sex initiates wing molt first. Both patterns suggest that asynchrony, per se, is important, probably to facilitate brood protection or territory defense. In Tundra Swans and other northern breeding geese and swans, the non-energetic demands of territory defense, brood defense, and brooding are probably important constraints on the timing of wing molt.

Long‐term goose breeding for egg production and crammed liver weight

1. Results of an 8-year (1981 to 1988) period of breeding geese for egg production and crammed liver weight, including phenotypic and/or genetic parameters for various traits (1982 to 1985), as well as line tests (1987 to 1988), are summarised for two lines. 2. The regressed annual genetic gains over years were 2.7 eggs and 30.8 g crammed liver. However, there was a decline in the rate of genetic progress after 4 years of selection. 3. Heritability estimates were found to be relatively high for most traits, whereas phenotypic and genetic correlation coefficients between traits were rather low, as would be expected from lines not previously subjected to an intense selection programme. 4. Phenotypic correlation coefficients between part-period records and full-period egg production, suggest that 3-month (October to December) records may be adequate to identify most of the best first-year layers. However, sexual maturity should be treated as a separate trait. 5. The cross between the 'Grey' (male) line, superior in crammed liver weight, and the 'White' (female) line, excelling in egg production, seems to be superior to the pure lines, in a fully-integrated enterprise.

Plasma lipoproteins and liver lipids in two breeds of geese with different susceptibility to hepatic steatosis: Changes induced by development and force‐feeding

Susceptibility to fatty liver in the force-fed goose is partly under genetic control. However, the mechanisms leading to liver steatosis in this avian model are poorly understood, but may involve perturbation in hepatic lipoprotein synthesis. Plasma lipoproteins were fractionated by density gradient ultracentrifugation from plasma of geese differing in their susceptibility to liver steatosis (Landes breed, highly susceptible; Rhine breed, partly resistant). The concentrations and chemical compositions of the major lipoprotein classes (VLDL, IDL, LDL and HDL) were characterized at 8, 22 and 27 wk of age and compared to the lipid composition of the corresponding liver. In non-force-fed geese, the lipoprotein profile was typical of birds, with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) predominating (4-5 g/L). However, at 22 and 27 wk of age, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels were significantly lower in Landes geese suggesting that this breed may possess a lower ability to export liver lipids, which would explain its susceptibility to liver steatosis when overfed. The livers of force-fed geese were specifically enriched in triglyceride, and to a lesser extent, in cholesteryl esters and non-esterified fatty acids as compared to those of control geese of the same age (27 wk). This accumulation of lipids was more pronounced in the Landes breed and was responsible for the higher liver weight in that breed. In both breeds, liver steatosis was accompanied by an increase in plasma levels of HDL (11 g/L), whereas low-density lipoproteins were essentially absent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Fall Flock Behavior and Harvest of Canada Geese

We studied fall flock behavior and harvest of locally breeding Canada geese (Branta canadensis) and those that use the area as a migration stopover at the Talcot Lake Wildlife Management Area (TLWMA) in southwest Minnesota in 1980-81. We used neckbands and radio transmitters to measure movements and survival of geese. We conducted aerial and ground surveys to estimate the size of goose populations. The 800-ha TLWMA refuge provided hunting season sanctuary for geese breeding in a 1,500-km2 area surrounding the refuge. Fidelity of local geese to feeding and roosting sites was strong throughout the fall. Prehuntingseason flight patterns to feeding sites off the refuge continued despite heavy hunting pressure. Marked families from a given brood-rearing site fed and roosted together at rates greater than would have been expected by chance. This subflock behavior, combined with consistent flight patterns, resulted in differential mortality among brood-rearing groups. In contrast, migrants remained at TLWMA briefly, fed independently from local geese when off the refuge, and were harvested at a lower rate (P < 0.05) than local geese. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 52(4):679-688 The giant Canada goose (B. c. maxima) has been restored over much of its former midwestern range (Nelson 1963, Brakhage 1965, Dill and Lee 1970, Cooper 1978). This race has steadily increased to an estimated 108,000 birds in the Mississippi Flyway in 1981 (U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. and Can. Wildl. Serv. 1982). Although less numerous than subarctic and arctic goose populations (Bellrose 1976), resident populations of giant Canada geese provide recreation where geese were once rare or absent (Hine and Schoenfeld 1968). Management programs for local geese have included establishing additional populations, improving breeding habitat, and establishing refuges. Refuges have also contributed to an increase in subarctic and arctic nesting Canada geese stopping in the upper midwest (Vaught and Kirsch 1966, Reeves et al. 1968). Concurrent use of refuges by migrant geese and locally breeding geese is common. Goose concentrations on refuges have resulted in high hunter densities, firing lines, and crop depredations. These issues, and a goal to apportion the harvest of geese equitably in the Mississippi Flyway, have led to a search for methods to distribute migrant geese (Reeves et al. 1968). Sherwood (1968) identified hunting as an important limiting factor for restored populations; therefore, techniques are needed for managing the harvest of migrant and locally breeding geese concurrently using a refuge. An understanding of the behavior of migrant and resident geese during fall is necessary to attain this objective. Migratory and wintering subpopulations or subflocks of Canada geese have been described by Kennedy and Arthur (1974), Koerner et al. (1974), and Raveling (1969, 1978, 1979). Zicus (1981a) documented subflock behavior on the breeding grounds in summer and fall. Zicus (1981a) suggested that resident geese rearing young at specific sites associated with each other and differed from other subflocks in their use of a refuge for feeding and roosting; he speculated that subflocks may differ in their vulnerability to hunting. Our study examined behavior of resident and migrant Canada geese using a refuge concurrently during fall in southwest Minnesota. We studied chronological changes in size and composition of migrant and local flocks, use of feeding sites, family associations and mortality rates among local geese, composition of the Canada goose harvest, and factors affecting vulnerability of these geese to hunting. We thank J. R. Kitts and F. B. Martin, University of Minnesota, for reviewing the manuscript and for assisting with statistical procedures, respectively. R. J. Peterson, J. G. Beech, D. G. Opdahl, L. M. Koster, E. L. Larson, and other personnel of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) helped with banding, observations, and bag checks. Additional banding assistance was provided by S. J. 1 Present address: Section of Wildlife, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 231 E. Second Street, Redwood Falls, MN 56283.

Sensitivity of Embryos from Duck, Goose, Herring Gull, and Various Chicken Breeds to 3,3′,4,4′-Tetrachlorobiphenyl

Yolks in embryonated eggs from duck, goose, herring gull, and various breeds of chicken were injected with 3,3′,4,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCB). Hens’ eggs were injected after 4 days of incubation and eggs from the other species were injected after 5 days of incubation. All breeds of chicken tested were very sensitive to TCB. At a dose of 20 μg/kg egg the death rate in chick embryos ranged from 70 to 100% at the end of the experiment by Day 18 of incubation. Liver lesions, hydropericardium, subcutaneous edema, shortened beak, and microphthalmia were found in both dead and living TCB-treated chick embryos.Embryos of the other species tested were considerably less sensitive than chick embryos to TCB. The highest dose administered to these species was 5,000 μg/kg egg for ducks and 1,000 μg/kg egg for geese and herring gulls. These doses did not affect the viability of the embryos and caused no gross abnormalities.

Factors related to breeding production of Brent GeeseBranta b. berniclaand waders (Charadrii) on the Taimyr Peninsula

There are large cyclic variations in the breeding success of Brent Geese; we have examined 3 hypotheses in an attempt to explain these. Spring feeding conditions play no more than a minor role in causing variations: 3 species of wader, arriving on the Taimyr Peninsula by different routes and having different diets from the geese, have similar and correlated variations in breeding success to the geese. With respect to weather on the breeding grounds, goose production was not correlated with precipitation but it was correlated with March and June temperatures. The strongest correlations of goose breeding success were with lemming abundance, either within a given year or when a lag effect was introduced. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that predators, 'uch as Arctic Foxes, which usually eat lemmings when they are available, switch to birds in years when lemming numbers are low.

Habitat exploitation and interspecific competition of moulting geese in East Greenland

Jameson Land, East Greenland is a moulting area of c. 5000 non‐breeding Pink‐footed Geese and 5000 Barnacle Geese. Breeding populations of both species in the area are small and scattered. The moulting Pinkfeet originate from Iceland, and the Barnacle Geese from other parts of East Greenland. Both species arrive in the area at the end of June and moult their remiges in July.Moulting flocks of the two species seldom mix. Pinkfoot flocks are common along coastlines, in wide rivers and on lakes with open views to all sides, while Barnacle Geese predominate in smaller rivers and on lakes with surrounding hills. During moult the geese, and especially the Pinkfeet, are extremely wary and depend on a safe area of water serving as a refuge with nearby food supplies (sedge‐dominated marshes). Barnacle Geese graze in a zone 0–100 m from the refuge, Pinkfeet up to 200–250 m from the refuge. The moulting sites fill up with geese according to available marsh areas, and the grazing pressure on average amounts to 594 goose‐days per ha during the moulting period. Food intake is estimated at 149 g and 138 g organic material per 24 h by Pinkfeet and Barnacle Geese, respectively, [n 1984, which was sunny and warm, net above‐ground primary production of a Carex subspathacea marsh (the prime feeding ground during moult) from the beginning of growth to the end of July was 13–15 g dw m2, and it is estimated that the geese consumed 60–69% of the production. In 1983, which was cold, geese probably consumed the entire production. Goose grazing did not affect productivity, but nutrient levels were high in grazed compared with ungrazed shoots, and peaked in early July.When separate, the diet of both species comprises sedges and grasses. Where the species co‐exist the amount of mosses in the diet increases, especially in Barnacle Geese. With respect to nutrient and fibre contents, moss is a suboptimal food compared to sedges and grasses. When separate, the geese spend 41–46% of the 24 hr grazing. Where they co‐exist, Barnacle Geese spend 62% of the time grazing, while Pinkfeet seem unaffected by the presence of Barnacle Geese.It is argued that carrying capacity for moulting geese is reached. Geese compete for resources, the Barnacle Goose suffering from the presence of the other. The observed distribution pattern is suggested to result from (1) Pinkfeet being limited to certain sites due to extreme wariness, and (2) Barnacle Geese trying to avoid competition by utilizing sites which Pinkfeet are reluctant to use. The experience of older Barnacle Geese of stress when settling with Pinkfeet may be the segregation mechanism.Moult coincides with the onset of growth and peak nutrient levels in the vegetation. It is suggested that the geese undertake moult migrations to Jameson Land both to avoid competition for resources with breeding geese and because they gain advantage from a growing, nutritious vegetation.

Seasonal changes in the concentration of plasma prolactin in the migratory Canada goose ( Branta canadensis interior)

1. 1. Seasonal changes in the plasma prolactin level of the migratory Canada goose breeding in the Canadian subarctic region (Fort Churchill, Manitoba) and wintering in the southern USA (Swan Lake Refuge, Missouri) were studied. 2. 2. Peak prolactin level was observed in geese collected at Missouri in October, immediately after Fall migration (Fall postmigratory period). This was significantly higher than that in September (Fall premigratory period), July (moulting period) and March (Spring premigratory period). 3. 3. Prolactin levels in May (Spring postmigratory period) and June (incubating period) did not differ significantly from that of any other period.

Behaviors Associated with Seasonal Reproduction and Long-Term Monogamy in Canada Geese

We measured seasonal changes in the incidence of various social behaviors performed by members of a captive flock of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis moffitti) in order to determine (a) which of these behaviors were associated with reproduction in a species with long-term monogamy, (b) sexual differences in their expression, and (c) their temporal relationship with nesting events. Breeding and nonbreeding geese were compared. Aggression, Triumph Ceremony, and Calling by breeding male geese reinforced pair bonds and were performed most frequently in the context of territorial display. The Triumph Ceremonies of breeding females also strengthened pair bonds and were probably essential for establishing a territory and reproductive success. Breeding males behaved aggressively most frequently before the initiation of nesting through the incubation period. During incubation, females became increasingly unresponsive to their mate's Triumph Ceremony and by the time their goslings were two weeks old the frequency of their aggressive behaviors was closer to that of their mates than at any other time of the year. These changes coincided with an increase in social gregariousness during brood rearing and molt. Retreat was more common in nonbreeding than breeding geese. Nonbreeding males were not aggressive and performed few Triumph Ceremonies. Their behavior did not elicit supportive responses from nonbreeding females and probably inhibited pair formation. The timing of reproduction of many avian species in seasonal habitats is confined by the periodic availability of resources (Lack 1968). Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) nest predominantly in northern latitudes (Delacour 1954, Palmer 1976) and reproductive events occur within a relatively short period of time. Nesting generally begins as soon as secure nest sites become available, and growth of goslings coincides with the growth of sedges and grasses during the summer (Maclnnes 1962, Vermeer 1970, Maclnnes et al. 1974, Raveling and Lumsden 1977, Raveling 1978). The timing of nesting is also influenced by intra-pair activities (Lofts and Murton 1973:81, Silver 1978) and social conditions (Lott et al. 1967). Formation of life-long pair bonds and intensification of mutual behaviors by pairs of Canada Geese before arrival on their breeding grounds permit nesting to begin without the delay of pair formation. The social behavior of Canada Geese is well documented (e.g., Hanson 1953, Collias and Jahn 1959, Klopman 1962, 1968, Brakhage 1965, Raveling 1970), but few investigators have quantified such behavior using individuals with known histories in a well defined social environment. In this paper, we report the frequency with which previously described behaviors were performed by breeding and nonbre ding Canada Geese (B. c. moffitti). Our objective was to identify behaviors that were important to intra-pair synchrony and nesting success in order to increase our understanding of the behavioral role of the sexes in a species that has long-term pair bonds and nests within a restricted period of time.

Survival, Experience, and Age in Relation to Breeding Success of Canada Geese

Survival, Experience, and Age in Relation to Breeding Success of Canada Geese

Moorland breeding and moulting of Canada Geese in Yorkshire

Canada Geese in Yorkshire have extended their breeding range and habitat from traditional aquatic sites to include high-ground heather moorland. Many adults remain on the moors (with their goslings) to moult, and young reared here are an important source of unringed birds in the Yorkshire population and in the moulting flock on the Beauly Firth (Inverness-shire). Adaptations to moorland breeding are discussed; there is an absence of competition for nesting space such as characterises Canada Geese breeding in lowland aquatic sites.

Vegetation characteristics of Snow Goose nest sites

The vegetation at a Lesser Snow Goose breeding colony was examined to determine if particular plant species or species associations were characteristic of the nest sites of the geese. A stepwise discriminant analysis revealed that nest sites could be satisfactorily distinguished from the ambient vegetation using 2 of the 29 plant species growing in the quadrats. These two species, lyme grass (Elymus arenarius ssp. mollis) and arctic daisy (Chrysanthemum arcticum ssp. polare) were strongly associated with Snow Goose nest sites.Possible explanations for the association are examined. It is suggested that rather than a cause and effect relationship between plants and nest sites, E. arenarius and C. arcticum have similar ecological requirements to those of the geese for a nesting site.