Social Behavior and Breeding Success in Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) Confined under Semi-Natural Conditions

Abstract

An attempt is being made to reestablish the Canada Goose as a breeding bird in Wisconsin. This is being done by use of large, outdoor enclosures adjacent to appropriate habitat, in which wing- pinioned adults are maintained. The resulting young birds are not wing-pinioned but are allowed to fly over the surrounding fence, in the expectation that they will settle and breed in the adjoining marsh- lands. The present study was carried out in an eleven-acre enclosure at the Horicon Marsh Wildlife Refuge, Wisconsin. The main objective was to ascertain to what extent and in what ways loss of productivity in the Canada Goose population at the various stages of the breeding cycle was related to social behavior. With this objective, a detailed study of the social behavior of marked individuals was made.