Geese are infamous for being quite aggressive toward people and other birds. Not only are they aggressive, but also quite loud, scaring everyone around them. Naturally, they engage in such behavior for a reason. After all, humans don’t scream or attack other people without a good reason, right?
Geese become aggressive and loud when humans, other birds, or animals trespass on their territory. They are most aggressive during the breeding and nesting season. Geese may also become aggressive as they gradually lose their natural fear of humans and become bolder while begging for food.
Remarkably intelligent these birds are, aren’t they?! That’s why it’s usually so difficult to avoid or escape a goose attack. They constantly learn from their mistakes! However, we still have some tips to share, as well as some explanations for this aggressive behavior. Keep reading to discover more!
Why Are Geese Aggressive?
Geese are known for having a temper. They have often been observed attacking humans and expressing distress around them, like producing loud noises.
This behavior is likely an adaptation that helped geese survive in the wild. Take Canada geese, for instance. Since they’re large and display such aggressive behavior they have few predators in the wild except for coyotes and gray wolves.
As such, when humans trespass on their territories, they feel threatened, and it’s natural behavior for them to become aggressive. History taught them that that’s the only way to scare predators and threats away.
If this occurs during the breeding or nesting season, we cannot blame them for protecting their eggs or young. For Canada geese, the breeding season occurs in the spring, so you may want to avoid getting close to any nests.
However, geese are also infamous for being quite bold. Did you know that geese have been observed attacking animals as large as gorillas?! What’s a human being for them?!
Domesticated geese may get quickly accustomed to their owners. Wild geese have a natural fear of people. But if they are frequently fed by humans, they will also gradually start losing their natural fear.
They may even start building their nests closer to human establishments, thus increasing the risk of attacks.
Most Aggressive Goose Species
As already mentioned, Canada geese are by far the most infamous for being quite mean and aggressive. However, many other goose species/breeds can be just as aggressive as the Canada goose.
Here are some:
- The snow goose – a North American species of goose; it can become aggressive if it feels threatened.
- The Chinese goose – international breed of domestic goose; it’s noisy and aggressive; males are particularly territorial when females incubate the eggs.
- The Embden goose – a German breed of domestic goose; it can become aggressive and territorial, especially during the breeding season.
- The Pomeranian geese – a Pomeranian breed of domestic ducks; although they are typically docile and social, some can respond aggressively to nervous body language.
- The Roman goose – Italian breed of domestic goose; it can be particularly aggressive during the spring
What Do Geese Do When Angry?
Here are some signs to look out for if you suspect that a goose is about to becomes aggressive:
- It may extend its neck and bob its head up and down.
- It may honk.
- It may patrol the area.
- It may flap its wings aggressively.
To prevent geese from attacking you, it’s recommended to avoid feeding them, as this is one of the primary reasons they lose the fear of humans and become bold enough to attack them if they don’t get what they want.
Canada geese are known to stalk humans and beg for food, so standing your ground may be quite challenging. Imagine trying to get away from a goose begging for food! No wonder people disobey artificial feeding policies!
Another thing we suggest is to avoid getting too close to geese altogether. These birds have very good eyesight, and they’ll spot you from afar. If you keep your distance, they won’t stalk or attack you.
What to Do If a Goose Becomes Aggressive?
If you notice any of the above signs in a goose, remember that you have to stay calm. If you look frightened, make sudden gestures, or start yelling, the goose will consider this a responsive sign of aggression.
Another important thing you should do is maintain eye contact. Do not turn your back to the goose, and do not close your eyes. At the same time, slowly back away from it, giving it enough space to feel safe.
If the wild geese in your area are constantly aggressive, you should contact local wildlife services to help you solve this issue.
Can a Goose Kill You?
Goose attacks typically cause injuries only. It’s highly unlikely for a goose attack to be fatal to a human being.
A goose can cause injuries by biting people and attacking them with their wings. If it’s just one bite, it will be a minor wound. If the goose delivers multiple bites, people will be left with bruises that will heal in time if they’re thoroughly cleaned, and infections are prevented.
However, if one is attacked by a group of geese, things can get quite serious and the attack may cause serious head injuries. Additionally, you may fall and injure yourself while trying to escape the geese. Still, it’s unlikely it will be fatal. In fact, there’s no official report of anyone dying because of a goose attack.
Do Geese Fight to the Death?
Geese can become quite territorial to each other, too, not only humans. However, while they may indeed injure each other, these fights rarely end with a dead goose. The loser will typically leave and avoid any other confrontations.
If you see two geese fighting each other, you shouldn’t interfere. They know the rules and will sort things out on their own. If you try to separate them, they may attack you instead.
FAQs
Are Geese Aggressive to Ducks?
Geese are definitely more aggressive than ducks, but they typically do not attack ducks unless they feel highly threatened and sense that their mates or young need to be protected.
Are Geese Aggressive to Dogs?
Geese associate dogs with wolves and coyotes so they can attack one if they feel threatened by it. However, if the dog is large enough, the geese probably won’t cause much harm.
What Injuries Can A Goose Attack Cause?
Goose attacks can cause emotional distress, bruises, wounds, head trauma, and broken bones. However, serious injuries like broken bones happen only if the person tries to fight the goose off and doesn’t follow the guidelines on how to prevent an attack. Additionally, some injuries may occur while the person tries running away from the goose.
