As it was said, luxurious birds have a rich history, and here we are talking about the grey goose, as the wild grey goose was domesticated about 3,000 years ago in Egypt, Rome, and Greece.
Paintings and drawings were found on the walls of temples that illustrate the interest of the ancient Egyptians in raising and caring for grey geese.
The grey goose is a type of water and wild bird from the Anatidae family, belonging to the Chordata division, Aves class, which is a vertebrate class that includes birds.
The grey goose is considered one of the birds commonly raised in the Egyptian countryside, where farmers used to leave it to graze and feed on herbs and plants on the sides of canals and drains.
And certainly, this type of bird is characterized by many specifications, features and behaviors that we will study in this article from teketrek.
What are the characteristics of the grey goose
Practically, grey geese are characterized by being strong and durable.
The grey goose is between 75 and 90 cm long, has a wingspan of 147 and 182 cm, and weighs between 2.3 and 3.5 kg.
The grey color helps wild species camouflage themselves in reeds and coastal grass.
Although grey geese are domesticated wild birds, their feathers have become thicker than their wild relatives.
In addition, grey geese have a broad chest and a pale orange or red bill, with a slight tip at the end.
The grey goose is characterized by orange feet, claws, and a swimming belt.
It has a completely grey plumage, with some white speckles on top and black spots on the bottom.
What is the behaviour of the grey goose
The grey goose’s reputation for aggression is directly related to its size, because the larger the goose, the less fear it has of attacking someone.
Grey geese like to maintain stability, choosing locations with different factors in their favor to prolong their stay in the place, either because they feel comfortable or because they laid their eggs there.
Grey geese are a symbol of true love, although they represent a social status.
The nest of the grey goose is a very simple structure of leaves, grass, twigs and moss, in addition to lichen in the ground, and sometimes it is near a high area.
Sometimes when the grey goose is angry, it shakes its neck feathers in challenge, and after defeating its opponent, it also emits a kind of victory cry.
Where do grey geese live
Grey geese are found in spring near swamps and lakes to the edges of important river plants, in coastal places and near the edge of artificial reservoirs, lakes and estuaries, as well as in pastures and fields.
Grey geese live near freshwater rivers, lakes, ponds and streams in Europe, Asia and North America, and prefer temperate or arctic climates.
What do grey geese eat
The diet of the gray goose consists of sedges, herbs, grains, seeds and aquatic plants, and sometimes resorts only to insects and fish.
Hence, we can say that gray geese are carnivores and herbivores at the same time.
Reproduction stages of gray geese
Gray geese form monogamous bonds for life with one partner, and lay one clutch of white eggs, usually up to 10 eggs.
The mating season begins in the spring, and if one of the birds dies, its partner will find another mate in the same season.
Once the female gray goose lays the eggs, she alone bears the responsibility of incubating them, while the male remains on constant alert to protect her and the eggs from potential threats.
After the chick emerges from the egg, its feathers are soft, and it has the ability to defend itself almost immediately.
But it remains under the protection of its parents in the first summer of its life, and the parents lead the offspring in a straight line, and make a sound at anything approaching.
Frequently asked questions about gray geese
- How long do gray geese live?
The average life expectancy of a gray goose is about 10 to 15 years, but they have been known to live for about 30 years in captivity.
- What threats and predators are dangerous to gray geese?
Natural predators include coyotes, cats, and humans, but eggs and young are a tempting target for skunks, foxes, raccoons, and crows, as well as snakes, hawks, and turtles.
- How fast can a gray goose fly?
Gray geese fly at a rate of about 40 miles per hour, and if the wind is particularly favorable, they can reach a top speed of about 70 miles per hour.
In conclusion, it is important to note that gray geese are very useful birds. Some may raise them for their meat, which is characterized by its delicious and tasty taste, and some may raise them for foie gras, which is a fatty liver.
Gray geese may also be used to get rid of weeds that may grow next to fruit trees on large farms.
