What to Know About Canadian Geese Migrations

Having spent four years going to Boise State, sometimes I think that maybe the school’s mascot should be a goose rather than a bronco. They’re ubiquitous and, frankly, might rival Buster for their role in campus life.

And even in winter, you can find them there. This time of year, you’ll likely spot some heading south in their iconic “V”-shaped formations, but they won’t all head that way.

Rather, some Canadian geese (Branta canadensis) just stay — and more of them are doing this than ever before. This is because we’ve created suitable habitat for them in fields, parks, suburban areas, golf courses, and other lawn areas that retain some plant life throughout the winter, giving geese enough of a food source to survive the cold months.

The Boise valley in particular stays warmer than the surrounding areas and hills, welcoming some geese to stay. Geese that live farther north during the warmer months often winter in places like Boise while some others leave for the winter.

When geese do migrate, however, they travel in familial flocks and, using their streamlined migration shape, have been known to travel 1,500 miles in 24 hours.