Dear Canadian geese lovers,
Most of us in Central New York love hearing Canadian geese pass over in the spring, but in mid-October, their honks are not music to our ears. Why? Because we know “Winter is Coming,” and that menacing theme from Game of Thrones plays in our heads. Still, instead of dragons and bloody battles, we’re just facing the inevitable struggle with our snow shovels and digging out our winter clothes.
This Q&A will help you understand why Canada Geese do what they do—and let’s be honest, why they drive us just a little bit crazy.
Q: Why do most geese fly south for the winter?
A: Canada geese fly south in the winter to find food and unfrozen water, kind of like us enduring the heartbreak of Cream at the Top closing after Labor Day. Geese lounge around in their favorite Finger Lakes, waiting for the temperature to dip below freezing. When they finally decide to leave, it’s just a hop, skip, and a honk southward to their beachside havens. You might as well think of them as the original snowbirds.
When the time change rolls around, geese get a hormonal wake-up call that’s less “rise and shine” and more “time to hit the road!” It’s their body’s way of saying, “Pack your bags; we’re leaving!”
Geese also love a good tailwind. Haven’t all of our fathers followed a tractor-trailer down Rt. 81, claiming “drafting” will save on fuel? If not, don’t try it. Just know that geese do it correctly, courtesy of Mother Nature. They often wait for a friendly northward breeze to give them that extra push—like the buffet line on Thanksgiving.
Q: Why do some geese stay put in Central New York?
A: The assumption that all Canada geese fly south for the winter is invalid. An increasing number of “resident” geese, particularly in urban areas, have adapted to staying year-round. They’re like those friends who never seem to leave the lake house.
The Finger Lakes region’s open waters, like Canandaigua, Seneca, and Cayuga, don’t freeze over, making it a go-to spot for geese that prefer not to deal with a polar vortex. Milder winters help, too, more opportunity on other lakes like Skaneateles and Owasco, where the only “chill” they feel is from a glass of Riesling from Anyelas Vineyards. Plus, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge is the ultimate winter vacation spot for both snow geese and Canada geese.
Q: How do geese use science to navigate?
A: Migrating geese are nature’s navigators, using skills passed down like family recipes for Thanksgiving stuffing. They can sense the Earth’s magnetic field, acting as their internal GPS.
Young geese learn the ropes by following their parents and other experienced birds in the flock, sort of like the way our fathers taught us to parallel park without hitting the curb.
Q: Why the famous V-formation
A: During migration, geese fly in a V-formation to maximize aerodynamics. Think of it as carpooling; each bird helps lift the others and reduces air resistance for the one behind. Even geese know that sharing the workload (and conserving energy) beats flying solo while trying to remember where they left their sunglasses. Imagine their conversations: “Stay behind your father, Herbie!” or “Frances is always showing off.” If one gets tired, they gladly swap places, unlike your cousin at Thanksgiving, who won’t sit next to Aunt Doris.
Q: How do they choose a leader?
A: Geese take turns being the leader. The bird in front is usually the one that tires first, kind of like the first one on a road trip who has to pee. When they get tired, they rotate back, and another goose takes the lead. It’s teamwork at its finest, like the Buffalo Bills when one player is injured. So, if you see a goose take charge, you know they’ve earned that front-row seat!
Q: Where do they go for the winter?
A: Geese from northern regions fly south and head for southern U.S. states, including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, the Carolinas, and Georgia. It’s their ultimate getaway! Imagine them checking into the luxurious Fontainebleau, sipping on grass smoothies, and debating whether to take a dip in the fountain or waddle over to the nearest Miami Food Truck.
Some adventurous geese even wing it all the way to Mexico. Why not? If you’re flying south, might as well stop for some guacamole and sunshine; it beats a Finger Lakes Taco Bell in February, right?
So, if you spot a gaggle of geese huddled together making plans, know they’re not only discussing the weather but also plotting their next tropical escape to warmth, good food, and easy access to the geese-type cocktails of their choice.
Are you a snowbird itching to go to your next winter escape? If so, what kind of birds do you see? And if you’re spending the cold months in Central New York, don’t worry, you can still discover the birds that stick around! Stay warm and keep your snow shovel handy; the geese aren’t the only ones looking for a way out!
