When do Canada Geese Migrate North?

Yes, yes, spring seems to be in the distant future - especially, this week. But in reality, the arrival of migrating Canada Geese is potentially less than two months away. 

When do Canada Geese come back to Ontario?

Migrating Canada Geese (not the ones who stay year round and are often referred to as 'Popcorn Geese') will announce their arrival with a distinct and familiar honking sound anywhere from the end of March to the middle of April. They are among the first birds returning from their southern winter hangouts. Once home, they'll immediately tackle the task of mating and hatching a brood of goslings. This makes geese also one of the first birds with offspring, early in the season.

Do Geese return to the same Area or Breeding Site?

Yep, they indeed tend to return to a previously successful breeding or nesting site. That's why it is so important to convince them to move on before they have offspring. Once they're strutting around with adorable little goslings, the nesting site is deemed safe and desirable and they happily return next year. In fact, many females will return to where they hatched and start their own family right there. On the other hand, if geese are disturbed before laying eggs or nests are destroyed, they will move to a new and safer nesting site.

Migration - A Marvelous Journey

Canada Geese migrate twice a year in North America. In early spring, they fly from their overwintering grounds in the United States to their familiar breeding grounds in Canada and Alaska. In the fall, geese make the journey south to spend the winter preparing for the next breeding season. 

The V-Formation

Migration is long and hard. Most geese make it, some won't. The iconic V-formation is most difficult to fly at the top or front and gets easier farther back. Each bird flies slightly higher than the bird in front and takes advantage of lesser wind resistance. That's why geese take turns taking the lead - the leader will drop back when a rest is in order and another goose will fly up and take the lead. 

Taking care of one another 

If a bird gets to a state of exhaustion or is injured, 2 other geese will accompany that bird to the ground. They will stay with the downed bird until it recovers or perishes. They will then set out to catch up with their flock.

Positive Energy

Scientists believe that the loud honking during flight is actually geese in the back encouraging the birds up front. They are the cheerleaders, you might say. Actually, geese seem to be communicating well and often in general, both during migration (or any flight) and on the ground.

Focus on the Task at hand

Geese appear to be very goal or task oriented. Migration routes are the same each year and the destination remains the same as well. Their goal is to move from North to South to protect the flock from the cold or from South to North for breeding in the spring. Goslings will accompany their parents on their first migration journey and learn from the geese elders of the flock - continuing the tradition and maintaining the goal year after year.

Goose Breeding Season in Canada

Love is in the air when Canada Geese complete their journey from south to north in early spring. Geese usually pair up for life but if one of them dies, the other will try and find a new partner in the same breeding season. Momma Goose busies herself laying anywhere from two to twelve eggs - with the average clutch consisting of 5 eggs. After about 28 days of mum sitting on her eggs and dad fiercely protecting the budding family, goslings begin to hatch. And, within a day, the wee ones are mobile and following their mother around.

Geese LOVE young spring sprouts of various grasses and sedges. Tender new grass shoots hold a ton of nutrition and are easily digested by itty bitty goslings. In fact, tender shoots are the first food the wee ones will consume. Later, in summer, they'll also eat seeds and berries.

How Come some Canada Geese Stay instead of Migrating?

Migratory birds who decide to go against the grain and stay put, essentially weigh the risks of an exhausting, difficult journey south and surviving subzero temperatures and potential food shortage - and choose the latter. There is a term for such birds: Facultative Migrants. Geese aren't the only birds who may make such a choice; some blue jays and robins stay put as well. Even cold climates such as ours in Ontario may be able to sustain a small population of birds and if things get too hairy, they'll set out and head south on their own. They will likely not complete the entire journey to where their peers are waiting out winter, but stop somewhere along the way, where and when conditions are more advantageous.

How can You prepare for the Arrival of Canada Geese?

Geese Removal

Over the past 30+ years, Hawkeye Bird & Animal Control has emerged as a leader in Geese Removal, Geese Relocation, and Geese Management in Toronto and across Ontario. We have devised a number of custom and/or unconventional methods that prove successful and sustainable. If you are concerned with Canada Geese, we urge you to contact us now; we will assist with your Migratory Bird Permits and together, we will come up with a plan that works for your circumstance, location, and budget.