Honkers - Canadian Geese (Branta canadensis)

[David H. Hartman]

These geese were hanging in the middle of the street between the fire house and a bank. They were totally unconcerned about cars driving past. I beeped my horn and they didn't move. I don't recall that they even looked. I drove up the street about a quarter mile to my house (0.4km), got my camera and drove back. They hadn't moved.

A couple of years ago the VA hospital, about a bow shot away, bulldozed a large pond with grass banks. It was big enough that it was a way stop for migrating birds. I remember ducks, geese and great blue herons. I guess the VA in their wisdom decided that the veterans would rather look out the hospital windows and see the butt ugly roof of a low building with lots of aluminum ventilation fixtures. 

The geese I surmise were wondering, "WTF happened to the pond?" I took about six to ten photos and then herded them out of the street to the lawns surrounding the bank. I'm not sure what to say, they aren't tame geese and yet they are habituated to humans to the point that I got within 4 feet (1.2m) before they started to move. One turned and hissed at me. I protested, "My best friend is a cockatoo, I like birds." She seemed satisfied and moved off without further protest. There were six obvious pairs. I guess they were mated pairs.



The photos I took aren't the best but I didn't want to spend too much time with the birds in danger. Notice the one second to left is standing on one foot like it's ready to take a nap though it hasn't tucked its beak under its wing. Finally a couple of minutes after I herded them off the street they all starting honking. I've never seen birds so laid back about standing around in the street while traffic drove by.

Dave Hartman

[elsa hoffmann]

Amazing how these things adapt to urban life. We have Egyptian geese breeding on balconies in the business districts now. And of course they also wander up and down the main street - babies in tow.

[David H. Hartman]

I guess geese are just cool dudes? I wondered if they would turn on me with their showy wings and ample beaks.

Dave

[David H. Hartman]

I think these are Canadian geese (Branta canadensis). I'm trying to identify them on my smartphone while bird sitting my friend's cockatoo. I read that there are some Canadian geese who are permanent residents here in California.

If these are permanent residents that makes sense as I've seen small formations fly various directions at different times of the year.

[FredCrowBear]

I agree with your identification Branta canadensis.  There are a number of subspecies, but these differences are generally pretty subtle and identification of a given subspecies by anyone other that a genuine expert is difficult.  And with any species such as this, I suspect there is substantial hybridization between the subspecies, making identification even more challenging.  Regarding the birds in the photos, there necks are too short to be Cackling Geese (which prior to 2004 were considered part of the Canada Goose complex). 

In much of the northern US, two populations exist – resident and migratory.  Resident (i.e., year-round) populations have become a major nuance problem in many areas. 

Nonetheless, I think that they are beautiful birds.

[Randy Stout]

David:

We have tons of them in Michigan, and they are really a bit of a nuisance at times, walking across roads, and depositing everywhere.  Still can be fun to watch and photograph, but because they are so common, most people just ignore images of them.

I might have an image or two that are moderately entertaining.

Cheers

Randy

[brent_e]

haha!  I'm surprised they didn't react to your cockatoo comment! 

They are a nuisance bird our way, for sure.  Though their legs cooked slowly in a crock pot are really delicious!