Lois Larson
Canada geese have become a common sight in urban areas, with their population booming throughout North America over the last four decades. Their presence in parks, golf courses, and other green spaces has led to them being considered a pest species, with their droppings, noise, and aggressive territorial behavior causing a nuisance. This has resulted in human-wildlife conflict, with Canada geese posing a particular risk near airports, where bird strikes endanger the safety of air travelers. LaGuardia Airport in New York has experienced this issue, with the collision of US Airways Flight 1549 with a flock of geese in 2009 leading to a heightened focus on managing the goose population in the area.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Canada geese in New York State | 228,000 |
| Acceptable number of Canada geese in New York State | 85,000 |
| Number of Canada geese strikes at LaGuardia Airport per year | 0-4 |
| Year when US Airways Flight 1549 collided with a flock of geese | 2009 |
| Number of Canada geese killed within a 5-mile radius of LaGuardia Airport in 2009 | 1,200 |
| Year when the radius was extended to seven miles | 2010 |
| Number of Canada geese killed in Prospect Park, Brooklyn | 400 |
| Year when the USDA Wildlife Services program took lead responsibility for reducing the number of geese around LaGuardia Airport | 2011 |
| Year when federal workers started destroying the eggs of Canada geese | 2021 |
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What You'll Learn
- Canada geese are a valuable natural resource for bird watchers and hunters
- The birds have become a nuisance in urban areas, causing airports to implement aggressive measures
- There are several humane ways to deter geese from airports
- The killing of Canada geese has been deemed inhumane, ineffective and unnecessary
- The population of Canada geese in New York State has boomed in recent decades
Canada geese are a valuable natural resource for bird watchers and hunters
Bird watchers and hunters value Canada geese for their distinctive appearance and migratory behaviour. The MBCA recognises several species of Canada geese as game birds, which can be hunted during established hunting seasons. Hunters appreciate the challenge of pursuing these large birds, and over 500,000 Canada geese are taken in Canada each year. The meat of Canada geese is considered a delicacy by some, described as "yummy ... good, lean, rich meat" by a researcher in sustainable agriculture.
Bird watchers are often captivated by the majestic appearance and behaviour of Canada geese. Their distinctive features include a black head and neck, white cheeks, and a brown body. The sight and sound of Canada geese flying in formation are unforgettable, and bird watchers may enjoy observing their social behaviour and migration patterns. Additionally, bird watchers may appreciate the conservation efforts led by individuals like Edward Dorson, who actively works to protect the nests and eggs of Canada geese in Central Park, New York.
However, the increasing population of Canada geese has led to concerns about their impact on aviation safety. In 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 collided with a flock of Canada geese, resulting in an emergency water landing in the Hudson River. This incident highlighted the potential dangers of bird strikes and prompted authorities to implement "Canada geese mitigation measures" near airports. While these measures aim to prioritise the safety of human air travellers, they have also raised debates about the ethical treatment of wildlife in an increasingly urbanised world.
In conclusion, Canada geese are a valuable natural resource for bird watchers and hunters due to their distinctive characteristics and behaviour. The MBCA provides a framework for sustainable hunting practices, ensuring that hunters follow established regulations. At the same time, bird watchers appreciate the opportunity to observe these birds in their natural habitat and contribute to conservation efforts. As human-wildlife conflicts continue to evolve, finding a balance between utilising Canada geese as a natural resource and ensuring their protection remains a challenging yet essential task.
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The birds have become a nuisance in urban areas, causing airports to implement aggressive measures
Canada geese have become a nuisance in urban areas, causing airports to implement aggressive measures to mitigate the risks they pose to aircraft and passengers. Airports are required to continuously evaluate bird hazards and adopt measures to minimise the risk of collisions between wildlife and aircraft. Bird strikes, or wildlife strikes, occur most frequently during the takeoff and landing phases of a flight, with smaller aircraft at a higher risk of serious damage. Bird strikes can cause propeller failure, windshield damage, and engine failure, and in some cases, force an aircraft into an emergency landing.
Canada geese, in particular, have thrived in people-friendly landscapes, with their population booming throughout North America. Their comfort in parks and other green spaces has led to them becoming year-round residents, with an estimated 228,000 resident Canada geese in New York State alone. This has resulted in an increase in bird strikes, with data showing between zero and four instances per year at LaGuardia and Kennedy Airports over the last two decades.
To address this issue, airports have implemented various bird control strategies, including modifying the surrounding habitat by removing foliage and natural food sources, and keeping the grass short. Audio and visual deterrents, such as air cannons and lasers, are also commonly used to scare birds away. While these methods can be effective initially, birds may eventually become accustomed to them. More permanent solutions include placing bird spikes on signs and runway markers to prevent perching and nesting.
In more extreme cases, airports have turned to capturing and killing geese within a certain radius of the airport. In 2009, over 1,200 Canada geese were killed within a five-mile radius of LaGuardia Airport, and in 2010, this radius was extended to seven miles. Additionally, government workers have been known to destroy the eggs of Canada geese as part of safety programs. These measures have sparked public outcry and debates about the changing relationship between wildlife and humans in urban areas.
As bird strikes continue to pose a threat to aviation safety, airports must continually adapt and implement new strategies to minimise the risks associated with bird activity. While the safety of human air travellers is of utmost importance, there is also a growing need for informed public debate and consideration of alternative methods for bird control and wildlife management.
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There are several humane ways to deter geese from airports
Canada geese have been a concern for airports, especially LaGuardia Airport, due to the risk they pose to airplanes. In 2009, over 1,200 geese were captured and killed within a five-mile radius of LaGuardia Airport. This was in response to the collision between US Airways Flight 1549 and a flock of geese, which caused the plane to make an emergency landing in the Hudson River. Since then, there has been ongoing conflict between wildlife and humans in the area, with bird strikes at LaGuardia Airport remaining consistent.
Scare Tactics
Lasers and other light-emitting devices can be used to scare geese away at dusk when they are settling down for the night. This will encourage them to find a different place to roost. However, it is important to note that this method should not be used on geese that are nesting, molting, or raising young goslings.
Chemical Repellents
Chemical repellents can be dispersed as a fog or sprayed on grass to deter geese from high-priority areas.
Loud Noises
Pyrotechnics and propane cannons can be used to create loud noises and scare geese away from airports.
Habitat Modification
Airports can implement long-term programs to reduce the conditions that attract geese. This includes modifying the habitat so that it is less appealing to geese, such as by keeping grass longer, as geese do not like to stay in areas with long grass due to the risk of predator attacks.
Food Sources
Geese are attracted to human food and garbage. Removing access to these food sources, such as by using hard-to-open trash containers, can help reduce the presence of geese.
Goose Repellents
Products like Flight Control® Max, which contains the compound anthraquinone, can be used to repel geese without harming them or other wildlife.
Population Reduction
Humanely reducing the goose population, such as by relocating geese from protected airspace, can help manage the number of geese in the area.
By combining these strategies, airports can effectively deter geese and reduce the risk of bird strikes while also ensuring the safety of both air travelers and wildlife.
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The killing of Canada geese has been deemed inhumane, ineffective and unnecessary
The killing of Canada geese has been a topic of controversy, with some people deeming it inhumane, ineffective, and unnecessary. This issue has come to the forefront in New York City, especially around LaGuardia Airport, where Canada geese have been considered a safety hazard due to their collisions with airplanes. While the priority is given to ensuring the safety of human air travelers, alternative methods to killing geese are being advocated by some.
In 2009, over 1,200 Canada geese were captured and killed within a five-mile radius of LaGuardia Airport, with the radius extended to seven miles in 2010, placing several parks within the "kill zone." This action was taken after a collision between US Airways Flight 1549 and a flock of geese in 2009, resulting in an emergency water landing in the Hudson River, known as the "Miracle on the Hudson." However, data from the F.A.A. shows that Canada geese strikes at LaGuardia Airport have been relatively consistent, with only a few instances per year.
The killing of Canada geese has been criticized as inhumane, with some describing the process as painful and distressing for the birds. Additionally, it is considered a temporary fix as it leaves room for new flocks to move in. Alternative methods, such as limiting flock growth, humanely frightening geese, and modifying habitats to make them less attractive to geese, have been suggested as more effective long-term solutions.
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects Canada geese, making it illegal to harm them without a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Despite this, permits are frequently granted to property owners, allowing the killing of geese in urban and suburban areas. Taxpayers and HOA members bear the costs of these lethal roundups and have expressed concerns about the ethical and financial implications.
Some individuals have taken it upon themselves to protect the nests of Canada geese in parks and advocate against the killing of these birds. They argue that there are better ways to manage the goose population and ensure the safety of air travelers without resorting to lethal measures. These advocates stress the need for an informed public debate about the changing relationship between wildlife and humans in an increasingly developed world.
In conclusion, while the presence of Canada geese near airports poses a safety concern, the killing of these birds has been deemed inhumane, ineffective, and unnecessary by many. Alternative methods that humanely resolve conflicts with resident Canada geese have been successfully implemented in several communities, offering a more sustainable and ethical approach to managing goose populations.
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The population of Canada geese in New York State has boomed in recent decades
The booming population of Canada geese in New York is part of a broader trend across North America. Once a migratory species, many Canada geese have become year-round residents in urban areas, no longer needing to travel to find food and water. This change in behaviour has been influenced by the availability of human-made bodies of water and an abundance of food sources, such as golf courses, public parks, and beaches. The removal of natural predators has also contributed to their growing numbers.
In New York City, the presence of large flocks of Canada geese has sparked concerns about aviation safety. LaGuardia Airport, in particular, has been at the centre of this debate. In 2009, a collision between a flock of geese and US Airways Flight 1549 resulted in the plane losing both engines shortly after takeoff, leading to an emergency water landing in the Hudson River—an incident known as the "miracle on the Hudson." This event prompted a crackdown on Canada geese populations near the city's airports, with federal wildlife workers taking over the management of goose populations within a seven-mile radius of these airports.
The efforts to control the goose population have included destroying nests and eggs, as well as capturing and killing the birds. These measures have been met with opposition from animal rights activists and wildlife enthusiasts, who argue that these actions are unlawful and unnecessary. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has set a target to reduce the resident Canada goose population in the state to 85,000.
The Canada goose is a large bird, weighing up to 19 pounds and boasting a wingspan of up to 5.5 feet. They are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, but authorities have obtained waivers to control their populations near airports due to safety concerns. The birds' feathers, nests, and eggs are also protected by law, except as permitted by regulations. The management of Canada geese in New York is a joint responsibility of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Environmental Conservation.
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Frequently asked questions
Canada geese have been deemed a problem near LaGuardia Airport because they pose a risk to air travel safety. In 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 collided with a flock of geese and lost both engines, forcing an emergency water landing in the Hudson River.
In 2010, federal wildlife workers took on the management of Canada geese populations within seven miles of LaGuardia Airport. This includes capturing and killing the geese, as well as destroying their eggs. Other methods include scaring them away with loud noises, using chemical repellents, and changing the habitat so that it is less attractive to geese.
The effectiveness of the control methods varies. While killing the geese may be a temporary solution, it is inhumane and leaves room for new flocks to move in. Some humane programs have successfully resolved conflicts with resident Canada geese by combining methods such as limiting flock growth, frightening geese so they leave on their own, and changing the habitat.
Canada geese are considered a valuable natural resource for bird watchers, hunters, and the general public in New York State. However, they can also be a nuisance, causing problems in parks, residential areas, and golf courses. Their droppings can accumulate, and they can damage crops.
