[rec.birds] Canadian Geese Behavior

RFY630@MAINE.BITNET (Chris Winne) (06/01/90)

Just yesterday my daughter and I were down to the shore, when we heard
some honking and splashing.  We crossed the bank to the (freshwater)
estuary behind (with our dog), and saw nothing at first. Then a couple
of birds came swimming across the water, alternately honking, the small
one following the other, swimming all the way to us, settling in about
10 feet away, watching and honking. We both loved it (she's ~20 months),
while our dog took no notice. They stayed till we left (it was getting
dark), and then swam off.
I was just wondering what this behavior might mean?  Were they
accultured to people and looking for food?  Trying to scare us away,
perhaps considering a nesting site (I thought they generally went a bit
further north, and further from the ocean), or just saying Hi!?

awesley@egrunix.UUCP (Tony Wesley) (06/03/90)

In article <90151.194531RFY630@MAINE.BITNET> RFY630@MAINE.BITNET (Chris Winne) writes:
    [story of Canada Geese visiting people]
>I was just wondering what this behavior might mean?  Were they
>accultured to people and looking for food?  
   Yes..  I'm not a real birder, but I have been known
to feed a tame Canada or two.  Some of them are certainly used to begging
for food.

>    Trying to scare us away,
   No.  If a Canada Goose was trying to scare you away, you would know it.
They can be vicious sounding!
-- 
And little Sir John with his nut brown bowl        Tony Wesley/RPT Software
                And his brandy in the glass        voice: (313) 274-2080
And little Sir John with his nut brown bowl      awesley@unix.secs.oakland.edu
          Proved the strongest man at last...    Compu$erve: 72770,2053