4945-Goose 26cmH.

Goose

Description The goose is a bird that naturally inhabits Asia, Europe, and North America. All in all, there are approximately 29 known species of this type of bird. Geese generally spend most of their time on the water and their webbed feet help them adapt to aquatic environments. Moreover, they have a long neck, and their feathers may be grey, black, brown, or white in color. During summer, geese make their nests, mate, and raise their babies in the north. When winter comes, they migrate south to warmer climates, together with the baby geese that can now fly. Because the wings of geese are powerful and their wingspan is large, they have the ability to travel long distances during migration. When they feel threatened, they tend to flap their wings and make hissing sounds. If these intimidation tactics did not work, they may charge at their unwanted company while flapping their wings. Geese are categorized as omnivorous creatures and their diet normally consists of insects, small fishes, grubs, and planktons. On the other hand, they may be preyed upon by wild dogs, foxes, and raccoons.

Status According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, most species of geese are listed as Least Concern. However, the Emperor Goose and Orinoco Goose are categorized as Near Threatened, while some are classified as Vulnerable (e.g., Blue-winged Goose, Hawaiian Goose, Swan Goose, and Lesser White-fronted Goose). In addition, the Red-breasted Goose is listed by the IUCN as Endangered. Some of the major threats that this type of bird faces include hunting, reduction in food availability, and decrease in the quality of roosting areas.