Kingdom : Animalia Class : Aves Family : Anatidae Scientific Name : Branta Size(L) : 60cm - 120cm (23.6in - 50in) Weight : 1.5kg - 8kg (3.3lbs - 17lbs) Wing Span : 83cm - 170cm (32.7in - 68in) Top Speed : 90km/h (55mph) Life Span : 12 - 26 years Colour : Grey, Brown, Black, White Skin Type : Feathers Distinctive Features : Long neck and noisy communication calls
- Geese are medium-large sized birds found in Europe, Asia and North America.
- There are around 29 species of geese found in the world.
- The male goose is referred to as a gander and the offspring is called a gosling.
- Their group on ground is called a gaggle.
- Whereas a formation of geese while flying is called a wedge or skein.
- They grow to be around 60-120cm in length and their wingspan is almost 1.5 times their size.
- They have very strong wings and they are known to migrate very long distances to warmer climates.
- They are strong and hardy birds which live to be around more than 20-30 years old.
- They mate in north during the summers and migrate to warmer south during winters with their baby.
- Interestingly, the mates bond for life and mate with the same mate through their lives.
- Geese are omnivores feeding on insects, small fish ad plankton in water.
- Their webbed feet also help them adapt to and spend a lot of time in water.
- Their natural predators are foxes, wild dogs, racoons and birds mainly targeting the eggs and vulnerable young ones.
- Due to their strength and size the geese are not easy to hunt.
- They are known to attack and intimidate, if threatened, by hissing and flapping their strong wings.