WS Assistance With

Waterfowl

Part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal

and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the

Wildlife Services (WS) program helps alleviate wildlife

damage to agricultural, urban, and natural resources.

WS also addresses wildlife threats to public health

and safety and protects endangered and threatened

species from predators.

Too Many Birds

Canada geese, ducks, and other waterfowl are

valuable natural resources enjoyed by birdwatchers

and the general public. In many areas of the country,

nonmigrating Canada goose and duck populations

are increasing dramatically. These birds require fresh

water for resting and nesting and tender young grass

and other succulent vegetation for food. As a result,

the plentiful, well-manicured lawns of residential

neighborhoods, corporate business areas, parks, airports, community gardens, and golf courses provide

excellent habitat for these birds. Geese are particularly opportunistic and can easily become accustomed to people and residential areas.

Although most people find a few birds acceptable,

problems quickly develop as bird numbers increase.

These problems include overgrazing of grass and

ornamental plants; accumulation of droppings and

feathers; attacks on humans by aggressive birds; and

the fouling of reservoirs, swimming areas, beaches,

docks, lawns, and golf courses. Flocks of geese and

other waterfowl also feed on a variety of crops,

including corn, soybeans, rice, lettuce, winter wheat,

barley, and rye.

Feeding of waterfowl may contribute to the problem of waterfowl conflicts with humans. In addition,

migratory and nonmigratory Canada geese, like all

native waterfowl in the United States, are protected

by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and State

laws. Under these laws, it is illegal to hunt, kill, sell,

purchase, or possess migratory birds except as permitted by regulations enforced by the U.S.

Department of the Interior’s Fish and Wildlife Service

(FWS).

Management Techniques

WS professionals recommend a number of methods to discourage waterfowl from settling in residential and crop areas. These techniques should be

used in combination with one another because geese

and other waterfowl quickly become accustomed to

any single technique.

• Discontinue feeding. Wild geese are capable of

finding their own food and will survive without handouts from people. Once feeding by humans is discontinued, waterfowl will revert back to the better

quality natural foods. In most instances, the birds will

leave.

Factsheet

Wildlife Services November 2001

APHIS

Canada goose
• Modify landscaping. Geese and ducks in particular are grazers and require short, green grass for

food. Allow grass to grow longer so that it is unpalatable to the birds. Along water edges, plant vegetation

that is less attractive to the birds than grass, such as

pachysandra, periwinkle, and euonymus. Waterfowl

prefer to build their nests on islands, peninsulas, and

undisturbed grounds. During landscaping, do not create small islands or peninsulas in ponds; where these

features already exist, consider changes to make

these areas unavailable to waterfowl.

• Install barriers. Waterfowl prefer to land on water

and walk onto adjacent grassy areas to feed and rest.

The most effective tools for controlling waterfowl

movement are fences, hedgerows, and other physical

barriers.

• Use scaring devices. Large helium-filled balloons,

strobe lights, scarecrows with movable parts, birdscaring reflecting tape, MylarTM flags, screamer

sirens, whistle bombs, shell crackers, and automatic

exploders will help keep geese and other waterfowl

from feeding and resting on property. Periodic movement of these items is recommended. Before using

shell crackers, automatic exploders, or other pyrotechnics, check local and State regulations concerning

permits and the use of firearms and pyrotechnics.

• Utilize dogs. Some landowners use dogs to keep

geese out of hay and grain crops. Most effective are

free-ranging dogs trained to chase birds as soon as

they land. However, local leash laws may prevent

such use of dogs.

• Prevent nesting. Local populations of waterfowl

may be controlled if property owners prevent them

from nesting. Since waterfowl are protected by State

and Federal laws, a permit is required before eggs or

nests can be disrupted. Permits are granted by FWS

and State wildlife management agencies. Before a

permit is issued, the applicant must demonstrate that

nonlethal habitat-management techniques were

unsuccessful in controlling damage. To obtain a permit, contact FWS.

• Hunting can work. Where it is safe and legal, hunting can be used to control some species of residential

waterfowl. Contact your State wildlife management

agency to determine local laws and regulations.

Relocation

In special instances, WS may relocate urban waterfowl using live-trapping or tranquilizers such as alphachloralose. However, many States discourage the

relocation of waterfowl within their borders because of

the possibility of problems being created elsewhere in

the State. Canada geese instinctively try to return to

areas where they were born and raised and should be

moved at least 200 miles away from their nesting site.

Additional Information

You may obtain more information about managing

waterfowl and the wildlife services of WS from any

State APHIS, WS office. For the address and telephone number in your area, call the WS Operational

Support Staff at (301) 734–7921. You can also find

information on WS programs by visiting our Web site

at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ws.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination

in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national

origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to

all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative

means for communication of program information (Braille, large

print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of

Civil Rights, Room 326–W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence

Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410 or call (202) 720–5964

(voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and

employer.

United States Department of Agriculture • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • Safeguarding American Agriculture