[동물 이야기] Migratory birds called ‘heralds of autumn’… fly up to 2,400 km per day

[동물 이야기] Migratory birds called ‘heralds of autumn’… fly up to 2,400 km per day

Input: 2024.09.25 03:30

Canada goose

▲ Canada geese flying over the water, flapping their wings powerfully. /Animalia.bio As flocks of Canada geese began to appear, several state governments in Canada and the United States began announcing hunting regulations one after another. They set limits on how long licensed hunters can hunt the birds and how many they can catch at once. With a long black neck and white cheeks, the Canada goose is relatively large for a goose, reaching a total length of about 65 cm. It can be found throughout Canada and the United States, as well as some parts of Mexico.

In the eastern part of the United States and Canada, Canada geese that come to breed around this time of year are recognized as the ‘heralds of autumn’ as they gently land on the shores. Now, they are common enough to be legally hunted, but Canada geese were on the verge of extinction in the 19th century due to a rapid decline in numbers due to overhunting. However, the number quickly recovered as local communities took systematic protection measures.

One of the reasons why Canada geese have increased in number again is because they are exceptionally adaptable to the environment. As herbivorous water birds, they often settle in places where there is standing water and green space nearby. However, golf courses, sports fields, and grassy parks in Canada and the United States often have artificial ponds or reservoirs. These environments are the perfect habitat for Canada geese.

Canada geese, which live as migratory birds, fly powerfully in a unique ‘V’ formation. There is even a record of flying 2,400 km in 24 hours in this formation flight. When the leader of the flock gets tired, he falls back for a while to catch his breath, then returns to the front and leads the flight formation.

The reason that the Canadian and U.S. state governments permit hunting of Canada geese is to control the population so that the birds do not breed too much and damage crops. They eat a variety of plants, including wild grasses, aquatic plants, grains, and seeds. Like other geese, they use the small, saw-like structures on the inside of their beaks to graze and cut the grass. The lifespan of a Canada goose is about 20 years, and they can breed when they are two years old.

Males and females nest anywhere near water, including beavers, rats, and even human-made structures. Females lay up to seven eggs in a clutch. The chicks hatch after four weeks.