Influence of Sympatric Lesser Snow Geese (Chen Caerulescens Caerulescens) on Reproductive Performance, Behavior, and Food Habits of Canada Geese (Branta Canadensis Interior) on Akimiski Island, Nunavut

Influence of Sympatric Lesser Snow Geese (Chen Caerulescens Caerulescens) on Reproductive Performance, Behavior, and Food Habits of Canada Geese (Branta Canadensis Interior) on Akimiski Island, Nunavut
Author: Jeffrey Scott Gleason
Publisher: Library and Archives Canada = Bibliothèque et Archives Canada
Total Pages: 220
Release: 2003
Genre: Bird populations
ISBN:

Research on Akimiski Island, Nunavut, indicates declining numbers of nesting Southern James Bay Population (SJBP) Canada Geese (Branta canadensis interior) while increases have been documented for number of breeding Lesser Snow Geese (Chen caerulescens caerulescens). Low direct recovery rates of goslings is suggestive of late-summer mortality which may be limiting recruitment for Canada geese on Akimiski Island. This study was designed specifically to (1) compare Canada Goose reproductive performance, incubation and brood-rearing behavior in areas of allopatry and sympatry and with Lesser Snow Geese, (2) determine if there are differences in diets of Canada Geese in areas of allopatry and sympatry, and (3) determine if there are differences in diets of Canada and Lesser Snow Geese in the area of sympatry. I documented annual variation for all and spatial variation for some reproductive parameters measured. Results of between-area comparisons of reproductive performance tended to suggest that in some years, Canada Geese nesting in the area of sympatry contribute little towards the maintenance of the island segment of this population. During incubation when females were on nests, male behavior varied as a function of year, area, time-of-day, and incubation stage. Overall, male Canada Geese allocated their time primarily to vigilance, feeding, and resting when females were on the nest. Males in the area of allopatry were more vigilant and fed less compared to males in the area of sympatry. When females were on the nest, their behavior varied relative to time-of-day, incubation stage, and temperature. Females in the area of allopatry were more vigilant than females in the area of sympatry, but overall, females on the nest allocated their time primarily to resting and maintenance. Recess behavior of Canada Geese varied relative to sex, incubation stage, and temperature, but not area, though pairs in the area of allopatry tended to spend more time alert and less time feeding compared to pairs in the area of sympatry. During recesses, males allocated their time primarily to vigilance, whereas females allocated nearly equal proportions of time to feeding and maintenance. Overall, brood-rearing behavior varied relative to year, area, time-of-day, sex/age class, days since peak hatch, brood size, brood density, and temperature. Overall, results are indicative of exploitation competition and I suggest that present foraging conditions are insufficient to meet the energetic demands of breeding Canada Geese, as well as breeding and staging Lesser Snow Geese, molt-migrant Giant Canada Geese, and staging Atlantic Brant. Such an energy deficit is particularly detrimental to the growth and development of Canada Goose goslings resulting in locally poor recruitment which presumably will lead to a much depressed breeding population of Canada Geese on Akimiski Island. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).

Managing Canada Geese in Urban Environments

Managing Canada Geese in Urban Environments
Author: Arthur E. Smith
Publisher:
Total Pages: 44
Release: 1999
Genre: Nature
ISBN:

If you're a parks manager, waterfront property owner or golf-course superintendent, you may be dealing with one of the drawbacks of the Canada goose success story - resident, nonmigratory geese. As Canada goose numbers have soared in recent years, so have complaints about urban goose problems - primarily goose droppings, overgrazing and trampling of vegetation, and aggressive behavior toward humans. Managing Canada Geese in Urban Environments is a 42-page guide to legal, effective ways of persuading problem geese to go elsewhere. The guide includes an overview of goose biology and behavior, but most of the text is devoted to management and control techniques, arranged by their physical impact on the geese. The techniques range from basic (quit feeding the birds) to extensive - habitat modification, hazing and scaring techniques, chemical repellents, control of reproduction, and removal. For example, the habitat section reviews fences and overhead wires and grids, plant and rock barriers, and modification of vegetation, shorelines, islands and ponds. The hazing discussion covers noisemakers such as fireworks and propane cannons, goose scarecrows and other visual scare techniques, and dogs trained to patrol for geese. Tables provide a quick summary of timing, cost, necessary permits, strengths and weaknesses of each technique. The guide also discusses the human and political dimensions of urban goose management, and how to develop an integrated management strategy. It lists on-line information sources, as well as contact information for equipment suppliers and wildlife control agencies. "Urban Canada goose populations have increased dramatically in both numbers and distribution over the past 10 to 15 years. Almost any body of water, especially in southeast Wisconsin, can expect geese, if they aren't there already, " says co-author Scott Craven, extension wildlife ecologist at UW-Madison's College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. "Small numbers of geese are attractive and highly desirable, but it's very easy to quickly experience too much of a good thing. Information on living with geese has not been readily available, and some 'solutions' may have little chance of actual success. The guide provides would-be goose managers with the information they need to address a very complex urban wildlife problem." (http://www.cals.wisc.edu/media/news/02_99/goose_doo.html).

Brood Mixing Behavior and Population Dynamics of Canada Geese at Dowling Lake, Alberta

Brood Mixing Behavior and Population Dynamics of Canada Geese at Dowling Lake, Alberta
Author: Glasgow, William Mitchell
Publisher: c1977.
Total Pages: 298
Release: 1977
Genre: Canada goose
ISBN:

The breeding biology and population dynamics of Canada geese nesting at Dowling Lake, Alberta were studied during 1971-1975. The purpose of the research was to examine the factors affecting survival in this population, especially during the brood rearing period. Breeding pairs did not appear to compete for snow-free locations on the breeding islands in early spring. Territories established during this period decreased in size with the encroachment of later nesting pairs. Nest and territory spacing approached uniformity, but behavioral differences and heterogeneity of the vegetation prevented realization of a statistically significant uniform pattern. Artificial nesting platforms were constructed to increase the nesting density of Canada geese on the large breeding island. Thirty-five, 39, 20, and 39 percent of the available platforms were used as nest sites in 1971-1974, respectively. Platform nesting success was no different than that of ground nesting geese and there was no signific.

The North American Geese

The North American Geese
Author: Paul Johnsgard
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 161
Release: 2016-08-23
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 1609620941

The eight currently recognized species of North American geese are part of a familiar group of birds collectively called waterfowl, all of which are smaller than swans and generally larger than ducks. They include the most popular of our aquatic gamebirds, with several million shot each year by sport hunters. Our two most abundant waterfowl, the Canada goose and snow goose, have populations collectively totaling about 15 million individuals. Like swans, the lifelong pairbonding of geese, their familial care, and prolonged social attachment to their offspring are legendary. Their seasonal migratory flights sometimes span thousands of miles, and the sight of their long, wavering flight formations are as much the symbols of seasonal change as are the spring songs of cardinals or the appearance of autumnal leaf colors. This book describes each species' geographic range and subspecies, its identification traits, weights and measurements, and criteria for its age and sex determination. Ecological and behavioral information includes each species' breeding and wintering habitats, its foods and foraging behavior, its local and long distance movements, and its relationships with other species. Reproductive information includes each species' age of maturity, pair-bond pattern, pair-forming behaviors, usual clutch sizes and incubation periods, brooding behavior, and postbreeding behavior. Mortality sources and rates of egg, young, and adult losses are also summarized, and each species' past and current North American populations are estimated. In addition to a text of nearly 60,000 words, the book includes 8 maps, 21 line drawings, and 28 photographs by the author, as well as more than 700 literature citations.