Branta canadensis

Imma let you finish, but the Canadian goose is the greatest waterfowl of all

time…

OF ALL TIME!

• That’s why it’s also one of the most abundant species of waterfowl (Bellrose 1980).

This is what it looks like in case you live under a rock. Picture courtesy of wikipedia!

• Cons: Not very efficient at digesting plant constituents, so it poops everywhere. All day, everyday. They are annoyingly loud when flying together, and if you try to approach one they act like jerks and chase you off if you get too close.

http://mstanphill.wordpress.com/2009/07/21/great-work/ (6 Dec. 2011).

But none of that’s important. This majestic creature is merely

misunderstood.

• Many time it’s aggressive behavior is because a gander is defending its nest or territory.

http://www.arthursclipart.org/birdsducks/ducks/page_01.htm

Everyone likes defending cute things – it’s science!

Anyways…

Migratory flight pattern!!!

http://blog.7geese.com/2011/07/08/why-did-we-chose-7geese-for-our-product-name/ (6 Dec. 2011)

Terrestrial Travel Formations

• 2 patterns: v formation or line formation used. 7 instances of v, 4 instances of line.

• Obviously the aerodynamic benefits don’t apply when grounded, however Konrad Lorenz (1991) believed the v formation also allowed better field of vision for each individual goose.

• Line of sight is important in gregarious species like Canadian goose. Strength in numbers etc.

• V formation would appear to provide an advantageous view as each goose can see things from all angles and if the flock has to take off at the same time they won’t hit each other.

• Line formation would appear to be disadvantageous, further testing would be required though.

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/environment/article_564ce96a-8a16-11df-bbbe-001cc4c03286.html (6 Dec. 2011).

Up Next…

http://www.pazhs.com/gallery/hampi.htm

http://lestamizcaran.deviantart.com/art/Storm-Troopers-Assault-157853061

Can be quite aggressive and will mob potential threats...

Vigilance

• Characteristic of animals whose behaviors would obscure its ability to keep an eye on its environment.

• Geese have a high metabolic rate to keep their body temperature up. This allows them to survive in extremely cold temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celcius.

Well gee, guy. What’s this all mean?

• High metabolic rate -> Necessitates high food intake + Herbivorous habits = Needs to dedicate a lot of time to grazing for food.

• Head low makes it prone to predation. Sentry goose prevents this.

200-100m: The whatever zone.

100-50m: The Wary zone.

50-20m:…

http://fistpumpsandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/12/danger-zone-play-list.html

• Short term flight is extremely energy efficient.

• Sentry goose has to balance dichotomy of conserving group’s overall energy expenditure, while making sure they survive major threats.

• Fight or flight responses would be wasteful, mediums are found in it’s “wary” state.

The End….?

Yes, actually.