Wild Geese Judge us by the company we keep - Part2- byBobElgas Big Timber, Montana The Brant Family Within the brant family are five well defined species. As is the case with true geese, they enjoy wide distribu­ tion throughout the northern hemi­ sphere. The five species consist of Canada geese, the true Brant, the Barnacle Goose, Red-breasted Goose, USDA • US. Center for Disease Control • Mayo Clinic • Saudi Royal Family and the Hawaiian or Nene Goose. Sloan-Kettering Institute • Walt Disney World • Busch Gardens • Opryland The Canada Goose is certainly the Six Flags • Lion Country Safari • US. Army • US. Air Force • VA Hospitals best known ofall North American spe­ Countless Zoos • Universities and Game Preserves throughout the Free World cies. It is found throughout much of North America where at least 11 sub­ Write for our free catalog! specific races have been recognized. These range in size from the very large Giant Canada Goose, which has been The Humidaire Incubator Company recorded with weights in excess of 20 Department W, P.O. Box 9, New Madison, OH 45346-0009 pounds, to the tiny Cackling and Aleu­ tian Canada Geese weighing as little (513) 996-3001 • FAX (513) 996-3633 as three or four pounds. All races of Canada Geese are marked alike. The Serving the world for 61 years head and neck is black with the famil­ iar white cheek patch. As is true with all members of the brant family, feet and bills are black. The body color ranges from gray to brown, depend­ ing upon sub-species and, as is true with most geese, the pigmentation is darker on the back than on the under­ side. During recent years, certain races of Canada Geese have enjoyed a substantial increase in population. This is largely as a result of their capa­ bility to adapt to an environment which has a close proximity to humans. As an example, they are fond of golf courses, where they are fre­ quently encountered in substantial numbers. The tender green grasses and waterways are much to their lik­ ing, and they don't hesitate to partake of an inviting environment. The true Brant are represented by four sub-species. These are the Atlan­ tic Brant, the Pacific or Black Brant, the little known Laurence's Brant and the Russian Brant. Brant are unique among geese in that they are almost exclusively marine in habit. Other than when they come ashore during the nesting season, almost their entire life is spent upon salt water. They feed upon marine vegetation, especially afa WATCH BIRD 55 eel grass, which is a great favorite. In amount of red, which is unusual in back into their native habitat in captivity, they graze on green grass wild geese. The intricate patterns, Hawaii. Unfortunately, restrictive leg­ and adapt to a terrestrial environment especially on the head and neck, are islation has prevented efforts on exactly like other geese. Brant are impossible to describe. The color pat­ behalf of the Hawaiian Goose from small, weighing three to four pounds. terns, diminutive size, and graceful being successful as might have been General plumage color is black and bearing make the little Red-breasted possible. Despite the fact it does noth­ white. Although they are not brightly Goose truly magnificent. They breed ing to protect Hawaiian Geese in their colored, they are dainty and graceful in northern Russia and winter in native lands, restrictive legislation has and pleasing in appearance. southern Europe. The total population been enacted which prevents avicul­ The Barnacle Goose is medium to of Red-breasted Geese is not large, turists in the continental United States small. It breeds in Iceland and Spitz­ possibly not more than 5,000 indi­ from fulfilling their potential to breed bergen and winters on the west coast viduals. them in captivity. Fortunately, Hawai­ of Europe, especially in Scotland and One of the most interesting of the ian Geese are easily propagated in the British Isles. They are largely black clan is the Hawaiian or Nene Goose. captivity, and it is estimated as many and white with a substantial patch of As the name implies, it is native to as 3,500 captive birds exist. If restric­ white on the head and face. The name Hawaii, and has become non­ tions could be made 'more realistic, Barnacle Goose originated in a most migratory. It has adapted to the high the number would increase dramati­ unusual way. They were described lava flows of the islands and has cally. The full story is too involved for long ago before bird migration was become almost entirely terrestrial. As inclusion here. However, it has been known. Observers of that time only a result, the feet and legs have well documented in an article knew the geese disappeared in the fall evolved to fit the environmental authored by Walter B. Sturgeon, Jr., and re-appeared the following spring. change. The legs are much longer and which was featured in the June/July The disappearance in the fall was heavier than those of other geese, and 1990 issue of Watchbird. Those inter­ explained by the possibility that the most of the webbing has disappeared ested in the history of the Hawaiian population simply disappeared and from the feet as befits a bird adapted Goose are referred to that article. perhaps died. This did not explain the to walking rather than swimming. Feet Wild geese adapt well to captivity re-appearance in the spring until an and bill are black, and there is black and their requirements are quite easily enterprising observer of the time "dis­ feathering on the head. General plum­ met. Geese are essentially grazing ani­ covered" that geese were produced age pattern is buffy to brownish gray. mals and fresh, tender green grass is a by Barnacle trees! Barnacle trees, it They are very handsome. The history basic food. Captive birds should be was explained, produced barnacle surrounding the Nene is quite interest­ provided with supplemental food. shells. As these shells matured and ing. There are a number of specula­ Whole grains, such as wheat and corn, ripened, they would split open allow­ tions regarding their origin. One that provide needed nourishment in win­ ing the contents to be released. Those has an element of credence, and con­ ter when green grass might be in short contents that fell upon the ground siderable acceptance, is that they orig­ supply. As an additional supplement, came to naught. However, the con­ inated from a common ancestor to the commercial rations prepared for tents that fell upon the water would Canada Goose when individuals of chickens or turkeys are also good. In develop and become Barnacle Geese, that race made their way to the Hawai­ feeding such rations, it is important to thus the species was able to per­ ian Islands, became non-migratory avoid medicated varieties. Although petuate itself. Verification of this residents, and evolved into the Hawai­ geese are more terrestrial than ducks, remarkable phenomenon was authen­ ian Goose as we know it today. His­ they are still waterfowl. At least some ticated by eye witness accounts, torically, the Hawaiian Goose was water area should be available and, including sketches and drawings of comparatively abundant. However, indeed, if geese are to be bred suc­ the actual event. It was not until much when early traders introduced such cessfully, swimming water is a re­ later, as bird migration became predatory species as pigs, goats, rats quirement. Actual copulation is known, that it was realized Barnacle and especially the mongoose, the accomplished in the water, and with­ Geese actually spent their summers Hawaiian Goose populations began out it any eggs produced will not be and reared their young in Iceland and to decline. By the mid-1900s, the pop­ fertile. The term swimming water is Spitzbergen and returned to their win­ ulation had been reduced to approxi­ often misunderstood. The amount of ter home in Britain and Europe with mately 50. Fortunately, a few had water need not be large - just the arrival of the fall. Old tales can die been maintained in captivity by a pri­ enough that both birds can float them­ hard, and the story of Barnacle trees is vate individual in Hawaii. From that selves at the same time. A pool as little still remembered today. The name source, Peter Scott of the Wildfowl as four feet across and six inches in Barnacle Goose has endured and, per­ Trust in England obtained three birds. depth will suffice. Geese are territorial haps - just perhaps - maybe a few As a result of that acquisition, the during breeding season and if more Barnacle Geese, indeed, do still come Trust was able to embark upon a suc­ than one pair is in a single pen the from Barnacle trees. cessful breeding program. Ultimately, dominant pair will assume control. In One of the most beautiful of all handreared birds from that program larger areas, where there is an waterfowl is the tiny Red-breasted were sent to breeders in the United expanse ofspace and water, a number Goose of Russia. As is true with others States where further breeding success of pairs can be kept together. Geese of the clan, there is considerable black was achieved. Eventually Hawaiian are very hardy and weather and tem­ and white feathering. However, in Geese were reared in sufficient num­ perature fluctuations present little addition there is a considerable bers to return the birds for release problem. Exclusive of Hawaiian 56 March / April 1994 utensils will need to be provided. Shallow pans work well for food, and chick watering founts will suffice for water.