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Goose shit: everything you need to know

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Humanity has the opportunity to see the evolution of some animal species. The evolution of birds, including the development of waterfowl, is the most dramatic. Shorefowl are any type of bird that lives on or around water. Common examples of waterfowl are waterfowl, also known as Anseriformes – a general term for some 180 living bird species. The most common waterfowl are geese.

Geese are closely related to ducks, swans, and several other waterfowl and belong to the family Anatidae. Usually, the term "goose" refers only to the females of the species, while the males are called ganders. Geese are usually gregarious birds and always move in flocks. Geese are also one of the few birds that have only one mate for life. Due to their social nature, geese like to do things in pairs, especially foraging for food. Geese have a very diverse diet, which begs the question, "What does their poop look like?" This article sheds light on some facts, including what their poop looks like, whether it's dangerous, what they eat, and more.

Where can I find geese?

Birds belonging to the family Anatidae, including geese, have a worldwide distribution and have adapted to a life of swimming or floating on the surface of water and, in some cases, diving in shallow water. Geese as we know them predate civilization, with the earliest fossils of the species dating back 12 million years. These birds evolved near freshwater rivers, lakes, ponds and streams in Europe, Asia and North America.

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Geese can be found all over the world except Antarctica. As a result, these animals have become accustomed to living around humans, inhabiting areas such as parks, urban areas and even farms. Geese survive well on land, but also thrive in the air and on water. These birds prefer to live in and around fresh water rather than salt or brackish water.

What does goose poop look like?

goose shit
Goose poop is tubular and often comes in different colors such as dark brown, green, or even white.

©iStock.com/AHPhotoswpg

Because geese spend a considerable amount of time around humans, it's not uncommon to find goose poop in the most random of places. Their poop is tube-shaped and often comes in different colors such as dark brown, green, or even white. Typically, their droppings look similar to those of almost all other mammals, except they are a different color and smaller, barely the size of a human finger.

Like ducks and chickens, geese don't pee. Their feces are more than 75% water. Since they cannot afford the extra weight in the form of urine, these birds do not urinate. They excrete excess nitrogen from the body in the form of urate or uric acid, which is visible as a "white cap" at the top or end of the stool.

How often do geese poop?

hawaiian goose
Goose poops every 12 minutes.

©Agami Photo Agency/Shutterstock.com website

Although geese have been domesticated to the point where they can be kept as pets, one of the main reasons why geese are not recommended is the number of times they defecate each day. A goose can defecate 2 pounds per day, almost every 12 minutes, averaging at least 100 defecations per day. Now imagine having a large group of people. Cleaning them up can be a lot of work, and leaving their droppings outside can be poisonous to nearby humans and other animals.

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What do geese eat?

Geese are primarily herbivores, eating leaves, grains and seeds.

© AZ-Animals.com

Although most people don't know it, geese are omnivorous. The main reason this fact is little known is that geese tend to exhibit more herbivory. The bird's diet consists of sedges, grasses, grains, seeds, and aquatic plants. Geese can also be found eating insects and sometimes fish.

Some species eat more insects and other invertebrates to support egg production when building nests and raising chicks. However, since geese eat more vegetation, sometimes about four pounds a day, their droppings are mostly a mixture of vegetation and water, which wash off surfaces easily as long as they are not allowed to sit for long periods of time.

Their stool color can also change based on their diet. When they eat more grass, their droppings are green and almost look like grass. Their droppings are light brown in color and will be firmer in the spring when they eat some layer feed and in the winter when they eat more wheat, oats and hay.

Is goose droppings dangerous?

Unlike other animals, geese carry some bacteria that can be spread through feces. While their droppings are a good source of poop, it can still be harmful to humans and other animals in the area. Goose droppings may contain the bacteria E. coli, sometimes called E. coli. E. coli is more prevalent in warmer months than in colder ones.

Another bacteria found in goose droppings is salmonella. Additionally, geese may have parasites, such as Cryptosporidium, that can be transmitted through contaminated water. Cryptosporidium, a parasite found mainly in Canada geese, can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea in humans.

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Parasites such as chlamydia, Pasteurella multocida and toxoplasmosis can also be detected in goose poo. In addition, Canada geese are susceptible to bird flu. Until scientists determine how this affects humans, it's best to stay away from goose droppings.

Next:

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snow goose
Snow Geese in Quebec

© iStock.com/Michel VIARD


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source
  1. Fresh Eggs Daily, available here: https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/2020/04/all-about-goose-poop.html
  2. Go Ask Alice, available here: https://goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/geese-feces-health-risks/
  3. Goose Busters, available here: https://www.goosebusters.net/problems-geese-present/