Geese are common waterfowl whose diverse feeding habits allow them to thrive in many ecosystems. Understanding their natural diet is important for their health.
Foraging for Greens and Aquatic Vegetation
They spend a significant portion of their day eating grasses, which form a major component of their diet, providing essential nutrients like fiber and carbohydrates. Common grass varieties favored by geese include ryegrass, bluegrass, and fescue, along with clover and dandelions, which offer vitamins and minerals. Geese use their sharp bills to tear off grass and leaves, often feeding in open fields where they can easily access large areas.
Beyond terrestrial plants, geese also forage extensively for aquatic vegetation in wetlands, lakes, and rivers. They consume a variety of water plants such as water lilies, cattails, pondweed, water milfoil, and duckweed. Geese access these submerged plants by dabbling, dipping their heads underwater to reach roots, shoots, and stems. Their plant-based diet, rich in fiber, is fundamental to their digestive health.
Discovering Seeds, Grains, and Invertebrates
While green vegetation forms the bulk of their diet, geese supplement their nutritional intake with other food sources. They consume seeds from various plants, often foraging for fallen grains in agricultural fields after harvest. These grains can include wheat, corn, barley, and oats, providing them with concentrated energy. Geese also eat berries from hedgerows when available, offering additional nutrients.
Small invertebrates also play a role in the goose diet, especially for added protein. Geese may consume insects, larvae, snails, and worms, particularly when these are abundant in wetlands or grassy areas. This occasional intake of animal protein is particularly beneficial during certain life stages or when higher energy demands arise. These supplemental foods provide a more balanced diet, supporting growth and feather development.
Dietary Adaptations Through the Seasons
The natural diet of geese changes throughout the year, reflecting the availability of food and their varying physiological needs. During spring and summer, when fresh grasses and aquatic plants are abundant, these form the primary food source, supporting breeding and molting. As the breeding season approaches, geese may increase their consumption of protein-rich foods, including invertebrates, to support egg-laying and the development of their young.
In autumn, as geese prepare for migration, their diet shifts towards high-energy foods like seeds, grains, and berries to build up fat reserves necessary for long flights. During the colder winter months, when green vegetation is scarce or covered by snow, geese rely more on stored fat and more readily available sources such as roots, dormant seeds, and leftover grains in fields.
Foods to Avoid Feeding Geese
Feeding geese human foods can be detrimental to their health and well-being. Common items like bread, crackers, and popcorn offer little nutritional value and are primarily carbohydrates. When geese fill up on these “junk foods,” they often neglect to forage for their natural, nutrient-rich diet, leading to malnourishment. A serious consequence of this improper diet, particularly in young geese, is “angel wing,” a condition where the wing joint deforms, preventing flight.
Beyond nutritional deficiencies, human feeding can lead to unnatural dependency, causing geese to lose their natural fear of humans and become aggressive when seeking food. Over-reliance on human handouts can also lead to overcrowding in certain areas, increasing the risk of disease transmission among birds. Uneaten processed food left behind can rot, attracting pests and contributing to water pollution, which harms aquatic ecosystems. Specific toxic foods for geese include avocado, chocolate, onions, garlic, moldy food, and the seeds or pits of fruits like apples, cherries, peaches, and plums, as these contain harmful compounds.