At the dawn of a new day a peculiar large bird can be seen waddling around the building of Osbourn, but what is it? Canadian geese (scientifically known as Branta Canadensis) are a member of the duck family, they are mainly herbivorous but have been seen eating fish occasionally. Like other herbivores, geese may eat a form of living animal when what they diet on is low in numbers. The Canadian geese are native to North America, and a group of geese is called a gaggle.

When I asked Dr. Meenakshi Choudhary, a science teacher here at Osbourn about why the geese come here she told me “Geese can adapt to a variety of environments, even those with limited water sources. At Osbourn High School, several factors could explain why geese are staying in an area with little to no ponds. Geese may be traveling from nearby areas with ponds or other water sources, using the school grounds as a temporary feeding or resting area. Geese are highly adaptable birds that can thrive in urban and suburban environments. They can find alternative water sources like rainwater, puddles, or even small fountains, and can often survive without immediate access to large bodies of water. The presence of grass, planted areas, or even discarded food can attract geese. Schools and other public areas sometimes have open spaces with ample food resources, which can draw geese even if there are no ponds nearby. Depending on the time of year, geese might be passing through the area as part of their migratory routes, using the school grounds as a temporary stop. Geese are known to establish territories and can become quite accustomed to certain areas, even if they are not ideal habitats. Once they start frequenting an area, they may continue to do so out of habit.”  Essentially the geese can live in many environments like the chilly taiga or the dry plateau, as long as it has vegetation and at least some amount of water they will be fine.”

Although the geese are nice to see they can be a nuisance to those who work here or to those walking here. “They are very pretty but they are very annoying because they come in the middle of the parking lot and walk real slow and it just takes a long time to get around them. They also lay eggs in the parking lot and poop everywhere,” said Mr. Laverty.

You may think that’s scary, as you could run over a goose, but Jackson Doll, a student here at Osbourn has had his dog chased by one of the geese. Specifically, Jackson said “The geese did not directly harm me, but one time my dog got too close to them on a walk and the geese retaliated by chasing him. Luckily, he got away with no injuries.” Jackson also stated that he had no strong opinions of the geese before the incident.

Dr. Choudhary and others enjoy seeing the geese. “Absolutely, geese can be quite fascinating to watch, and their presence can add a touch of nature to the surroundings. However, managing their impact on a school environment involves addressing practical concerns like maintenance and safety. Finding a balance that respects wildlife while meeting the needs of the school community can indeed be a delicate task,” she explained.  “Large flocks of geese can affect the visual appeal of the school grounds, which may impact the school’s overall atmosphere and appearance. The accumulation of geese droppings can increase the need for frequent cleaning and maintenance, leading to higher costs and more labor-intensive upkeep of the grounds,” she added.

Mr. Laverty pointed out that the geese can be temperamental at times.  “They chased me because I was too close to them; they are very very protective and can be mean,” he stated.

Overall the geese are a very unique group of large birds that come to Osbourn to enjoy the Eagles’ school. They come in the mornings and sometimes are seen in the afternoons too. The geese are very protective of their families/flocks and may feel threatened if you get too close. They also are capable of living in an area without much water, as long as it has vegetation they can eat such as grass.

What are your thoughts on the Osbourn geese? Tell us in the comments!