
Why do Canada Geese live in Cities?
Abundant Food
Canada Geese are primarily herbivores and love to graze on grass, particularly young shoots that can be found on freshly mowed lawns. Sports fields, golf courses, parks and campuses found in cities ensure Canada geese are always well fed.Few Predators
Large expanses of grass not only provide Canada geese with food, they also help them avoid predators. Canada geese naturally avoid tall grasses, shrubs and bushes as they provide cover for predators. Geese therefore prefer to spend time in wide open expanses that allow them to see and evade predators well in advance. In rural areas, Canada geese populations are controlled in part by hunting but shooting a gun is banned in city limits.Ideal Nesting Locations
Canada geese prefer to nest near bodies of fresh water. The Kitchener-Waterloo Region is dotted with numerous creeks, streams, lakes and marshes. These wetlands, both natural and manmade, make perfect nesting sites for Canada geese.Canada Geese in Traffic
During spring and summer Canada geese can often be seen crossing busy roadways in single file with the goose (mother) at the front, the babies behind her and the father (gander) bring up the rear. When geese walk across roads they can slow traffic and potentially cause collisions. To help understand why geese choose to walk rather than fly it is important to understand their natural behaviour and life cycle. [caption id="attachment_15142" align="aligncenter" width="900"]