A Naif in the Forest by Darrell Berger

Wing Tips to Hiking Boots: Musings of a New, Full-Time Poconos Resident

The bird at the front of a Canada Geese (sometimes called Canadian Geese) migrating flock is not the leader in any way other than breaking the wind and allowing the rest to have an easier flight. When the lead bird tires, she drops to the end of the formation and lets the next one take over, perhaps a good lesson in shared responsibility, if not leadership as humans usually practice it.

Since over three million migrate every year, it is difficult to imagine they were nearly extinct a little more than fifty years ago. They were intentionally nurtured from a very small flock in Rochester, Minnesota in 1962. The effort was so successful, sixty thousand were released in various parts of North Dakota in 1981. 

Some might say the effort was a bit too successful, as they have moved in the public esteem from valued rarity to pest. Almost all of North America, as a well as parts of Europe, are all too familiar with the behaviors of Canada Geese resting during their migration. They are noisy, defecate everywhere, eat crops and can be aggressive while still begging humans for food. Like flying raccoons, they thrive alongside humans, on golf courses, urban parks and lakes, parking lots and play grounds.

They were also the beneficiaries of one of the first federal acts of conservation, The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. It was feared that several species of birds might become extinct from over-hunting and the commercial value of their feathers. Until they became plentiful of late, it was a crime to hunt or disturb their nests.

Most mate for life and have become so comfortable with humans, many no longer migrate, just finding a comfortable place and staying there, or migrating much shorter distances. They are still beautiful birds, though their behavior can cause one to minimize the joy of seeing them. Their flying formation is still, however, one of the most inspiring kinetic sculptures of nature. Canada Geese, like members of other species, can be most appreciated as they leave.