Project Information

Report Goose Neck Bands!


Assessing Movement, Site Preferences, and Environmental and Social Impacts of Canada Geese across an Urban Landscape


Recently, resident Canada goose (Branta canadensis maxima) populations have increased, causing many human-goose conflicts, including decreased water quality, aggressive behavior towards humans and pets, the increased risk of disease from fecal contamination, and the potential for birdstrikes to aircraft. To better understand these human-goose conflicts and the potential risk to airport safety, we will examine Canada goose movements, habitat use, human attitudes toward geese, and disease rates across the landscape around the Piedmont Triad International airport in Greensboro, North Carolina. We will use color-marking with auxiliary neck bands, satellite telemetry with global positioning system harnesses, blood/fecal/choanal sampling for disease, and surveys to evaluate the effect of Canada geese across an urban environment. Using the information obtained from the study, we will develop management recommendations for reducing human-goose conflicts.

Be a citizen scientist!
If you see a neck banded goose, please visit this website and record the information.

For questions or comments, please contact Liz Rutledge from Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences at North Carolina State University. Contact info can be found on the contact page.

Funding for this project is provided by: Federal Aviation Administration, North Carolina Division of Aviation, the Berryman Institute, and North Carolina State University, U.S. Department and Agriculture-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, National Wildlife Research Center, and North Carolina Wildlife Services

Please DO NOT feed waterfowl!
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