Much Ado About Goose Doo, But What To Do: Block Talk

The comeback of the Canada goose, once on the brink of extinction, is a major conservation success story. The species’ rebound is due to a variety of protective measures, as well as the expansion of suburbs with suitable habitats, such as ponds and lakes.

You may have seen filthy evidence of the species’ rebound on your daily walk.

These big birds leave a huge mess behind. They eat about 4 pounds of grass a day and poop out about half of it, unloading as often as every 12 minutes and up to 28 times a day as they waddle around the neighborhood.

No one wants to step in that, especially since Canada geese are natural carriers of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu.

Canada geese can also be aggressive, especially when they are defending nests or goslings during the breeding season. Protective instincts include displays like honking, hissing, wing-flapping or even charging at perceived threats, including humans.

During nesting and molting seasons, Canada geese may also cause traffic delays as they cross the road with their young. They seem unafraid of vehicles, and in no hurry to get to the other side.

They’re not completely lacking in virtue. Besides being natural fertilizers, they spread seeds. Of course, that stubborn weed in your yard may be courtesy of the neighborhood goose. Hunters like to shoot them, and businesses that outfit them and states where the geese are prolific make a shh — well, you know what kind of ton of money.

All things considered, many of us would likely rather live in a world with Canada geese than without them. But should you have to share a sidewalk or lake with them?

Communities are using a range of techniques from various forms of harassment to habitat modification to population control, including lethal control measures.

Are geese a problem where you live, and what if anything is being done about it? What would you like to see done? We’re asking for Block Talk, Patch’s exclusive neighborhood etiquette column. Just fill out the form below.

About Block Talk
Block Talk is a regular Patch feature offering real-world advice from readers on how to resolve everyday neighborhood problems. If you have a neighborhood etiquette question or problem you'd like for us to consider, email beth.dalbey@patch.com, with Block Talk as the subject line.

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