BlogWhy Are Geese So Aggressive? [Infographic]

Geese have the reputation of attacking and hissing at innocent bystanders—walkers, runners, and golfers beware! Geese become aggressive because they don’t like to share their space with humans and other animals. Plus, geese are extremely protective of their young.

These birds have a bad reputation for a reason. Geese can become mean and sometimes even injure people. They can be mean, sloppy, loud, and rude. So, why are geese so aggressive anyway?

Why Are Geese So Loud?

Most people are familiar with the honk of the Canadian goose. Geese seem to honk non-stop for several reasons:

1. To protect their young. Geese are very territorial and protective, so they scream and hiss at humans or other animals who get too close to their nests and babies.
2. To help them fly. Geese honk while they’re flying to help them maintain their “V” formation. They fly in this formation because it helps them cut down on wind resistance, allowing them to save energy.
3. To communicate with a mate. Geese sometimes honk to answer a long-distance call from a mate. They may also honk as a greeting after being reunited with their mate after being separated for a while.

Why Are Geese So Aggressive?

It almost seems like everyone has an aggressive goose story. If you have a goose hissing, honking, or flapping at you, it’s because:

They’re Protective

Male geese (ganders) guard the females and the nests while eggs are incubating. Ganders do not take their protective duties lightly. If anyone gets close to their nests, they are not afraid of getting defensive. Ganders will continue to patrol the area and honk, hiss, or get physically violent until the eggs have hatched.

They Don’t Like to Share

Geese usually occupy urban areas because there is plenty of food and water and a low risk of predators. They don’t care if you want them there or not, but they will make it clear when they feel you’re overstepping. If you get too close, they may think of you as an intruder and attack or become aggressive.

They’ve Become Comfortable Around Humans

Geese are around humans all the time; sometimes, people even feed the birds. This causes geese to lose their fear of humans, making them much more likely to attack.

They Aren’t Easily Spooked

Geese don’t care how big or tough you are. They have no qualms about becoming aggressive with humans of any size. They have even been known to attack large animals like gorillas!

How Do I Avoid a Goose Attack?

It’s common for a goose to chase or hiss at a person, but a physical attack is relatively rare. If you notice a goose being aggressive with you, however, there are still several things you should do to avoid an attack, including:

1. Watch for warning signs that the goose is about to attack, such as head bobbing and honking.
2. Don’t turn your back. It’s important you face the goose until it stops pursuing
3. you. Don’t close your eyes or turn your back.
4. Stay calm and don’t yell. If you appear frightened, a goose might take this as a sign of aggression and become defensive.
5. Do not feed the geese. Remember, feeding geese may cause them to lose their fear of humans. Plus, if you feed them frequently, they’ll get used to the steady flow of food and they will become aggressive when you don’t hand the snacks over.

Fight the Flock: Contact Us for Effective Goose Control

If you’re having troubles with aggressive geese in your yard, get in touch with Varment Guard! Our experts can help relocate the birds humanely and effectively, so you won’t have to worry about them in your space.