Happy Family Day!

Today is all about being close to family. One family in nature that is definitely celebrating this holiday is Canada Geese.

Canada geese have a family that is quite close and protective. Firstly, male and female geese will often mate for life, with only few records of "divorce". These parents are also quite protective of their young. Males will hang around the nest if they sense a threat and they will watch the nest if the female needs to leaves the eggs for a while. And when the eggs hatch, this family will move around as a tight unit. Usually the female will lead the family and the male will follow us from behind, with the goslings in the middle. The young geese will usually stick around their parents for at least the first year after they are born.

Canada geese will also form flocks in the non-breeding seasons, which is usually made up of many different families. This is where you can see them flying in their notorious V formation. So whether it's with your family or your flock, let's hang out with loved ones like these geese.