Re: Lone Canada goose

citymarkettc@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
For the past 2 weeks, there's been a solitary Canada goose (can't tell
what gender, but I refer to it as a male) spending time around my
office building in a small, but busy towjn in Northern Michigan. The
building is approximately 250 yards north of a small lake, but the
nearest flocks of Canada geese that I've seen are about 2 miles south
of our complex. He (or she) appears young in nature, the black
feathers that line his neck are fluffy and not shiny as others tend to
be. Furthermore, this Canada goose has some black feathers on the
neck that are tipped with grey, and the cheek band is taupe rather
than white. His feet and legs are not black, but greyish, and his
size is average. Tail feathers are noticeable, but only project an
inch or so beyond his wing feathers when folded across his back. From
my observation, I think he's young, I do have images available.

Sounds to me like an immature Canada in need of more time to feather-out.

Since the weather was really hot the day he first arrived, I gave the
goose water, which he drank immediately. He drinks a fair amount of
water each day and has been drinking from a bowl ever since, eating
grass, in fact, he eats constantly, and preens, and doesn't appear to
be injured, just alone.

From what you say below, s/he seems to be injured or in arrested development and
unable to fly off with the flock.

I'd really like to make sure he is reunited with a flock, so he has
the benefit of numbers for safety and protection. Right now, in my
office parking lot, he's close to busy roads, and lots of commotion
and I fear for his overall safety. He does fly, but it takes a lot
for him to lift-off, sometimes running for 20 yards before becoming
airborne. And even then he can't gain much height, reaching possibly
only 3 feet off the ground. That is quite concerning to me, since he
can't evade vehicles at that height.

He follows me and I have been able to walk him to the water's edge
some 250 yards south to take a swim each day, which he seems to enjoy
immensely, but he doesn't wish to remain at the water, and follows me
back.

Yesterday, for the first time in the last 2 weeks, I saw 23 Canada
geese land at the same water's edge. Thinking this would mean my
feathered friend would finally find "his own" and be reunited, I
walked him to the flock and waited, quietly some 10 feet away. The
lone goose moved towards the flock, but remained on the outer edge,
pecking at grass, and sitting. When the ganders in the group of 23
geese honked, this lone bird would become alert, and when the calmed
down, so would he. After an hour of this behaviour, I attempted to
quietly move away, but he followed me. It seems this flock was not of
interest to him.

What can I do to help this wonderful creature to find a flock to bond
with? I currently sit with him late at night after our swim, to make
sure he settles down and doesn't wander into harm's way, and I make a
stealthy retreat to home after midnight, hoping he'll be safe until
morning.

Perhaps you should stay away from him/her for a few days. S/he seems to have bonded with you to the exclusion of other geese and depends on you for water, treats, and companionship. If s/he remains alone in a few days, contact a wildlife rehabilitation center and ask them to take custody.

Also, he's eating grass princiapply, but discovered a discarded fresh
corn cob yesterday and is loving that. Is it ok for him to eat?

Were s/he able to fly, corn would be his/her main foodstuff -- that and almost any kind of beans -- as s/he fattens up for either a long migration or a long winter on-site (which might be unusual in northern Michigan).

Please help me to do what is best for him. I've become very fond of
him, and will be sad to see him leave, but I know this is not the best
environment for him.

.

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