Canada Goose
Keep Wildlife Wild
The Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act prohibits the tampering with and removal of active bird nests (a nest with eggs or chicks present). If a nest needs to be moved/destroyed for building purposes or a business is having issues with aggressive birds on a nest, please contact USDA Wildlife Services at 800-433-0663 (southern Wisconsin) or 800-228-1368 (northern Wisconsin) for next steps.
Canada goose pairs begin nesting in the spring by building a large, slightly elevated nest of grasses, twigs and down feathers. Nests are usually located near water and well hidden, but some choose to build nests on or around human structures. On average, the female lays one egg per day until the clutch is complete, with each clutch typically containing eight to nine eggs. The incubation period can vary but is generally around 28 days.
Upon hatching, young Canada geese, also called goslings, are covered in yellow down and already have their eyes open. Goslings are precocial, which means they can leave the nest with their parents at a day or two old and are already capable of walking, swimming and feeding on their own.
It is common for Canada geese and their goslings to use open, mowed spaces near water, such as parks, which allows the adults to spot predators from afar. Goslings stay close to both of their parents and begin to learn how to fly after about two months. Often, young Canada geese stay with their parents throughout the summer, and they migrate together in the fall.