Birdwatchers and the general public enjoy watching Canada geese, ducks, 

and other waterfowl. In many areas of the country, however, nonmigrating, 

or resident, populations of ducks and Canada geese are increasing 

dramatically, leading to overpopulation of these birds in some cities. 

Waterfowl need fresh water for resting and nesting, and tender young grass 

and other succulent vegetation for food. The plentiful, well-manicured lawns 

of residential neighborhoods, corporate business areas, parks, airports, and 

golf courses offer excellent habitat. Geese, especially, 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 

people by aggressive birds; and the fouling of reservoirs, swimming areas, 

docks, lawns, and recreational areas. Because fouling contaminates water 

used for drinking, bathing, and cleaning, it can pose a disease threat to 

humans. Flocks of geese and other waterfowl also feed on a variety of crops, 

including corn, soybeans, rice, lettuce, winter wheat, barley, and rye. Birds 

can even endanger aircraft on or near airports. In fact, one goose or duck 

can seriously damage an aircraft. 

Know Before You Act

You can undertake some techniques on your own to manage waterfowl 

populations, but in most cases, wildlife management professionals should 

carry out this work. 

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and State laws protect all native 

waterfowl in the United States, including migratory and resident Canada 

geese. Under these laws, it is illegal to hunt, kill, sell, purchase, or possess 

migratory birds except in certain cases. For example, you can obtain a 

permit from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Fish and Wildlife Service 

(FWS) to remove otherwise protected birds if they are damaging agriculture, 

property, or natural resources or threatening human health and safety. 

These “depredation” permits allow the permit holder to remove a limited 

number of birds from a specific area. However, FWS tightly controls how 

many permits it issues and in what situations they’re used.

Factsheet

August 2016

Preventing and Managing 

Waterfowl Damage

Wildlife Services, a program 

within the U.S. Department 

of Agriculture’s (USDA) 

Animal and Plant Health 

Inspection Service (APHIS), 

provides Federal leadership 

and expertise in managing 

conflicts between people 

and wildlife to help protect 

the Nation’s agricultural and 

natural resources, property 

and infrastructure, and public 

health and safety.

Wildlife Services biologists help 

individuals, local governments, 

businesses, and others manage 

waterfowl to achieve a balance 

between the positive values 

and the conflicts the birds may 

present. 

Animal and Plant Health 

Inspection Service

Wildlife Services
Before taking any action to manage waterfowl 

populations, consult with Wildlife Services or a State 

wildlife agency. You can reach your State’s Wildlife 

Services office by calling 1-866-4USDA-WS 

(1-866-487-3297).

Managing Waterfowl: An Integrated Approach

In general, Wildlife Services professionals recommend 

an integrated approach to discourage waterfowl from 

residing in areas where overabundant flocks cause 

problems. Using a combination of techniques is the 

most effective way to prevent and manage waterfowl 

damage. These birds quickly become accustomed to 

any single approach, so using only one tool will not 

have a long-term impact.

Below are some of the management techniques we 

may use or recommend:

• Discontinue feeding. Wild birds can find their own 

food and will survive without handouts. Once people 

stop feeding them, waterfowl will revert to betterquality natural foods. In many cases, the birds will 

leave. 

• Modify landscaping. Geese and ducks, in particular, 

are grazers and need short, green grass for food. 

Allow grass to grow longer so it is unattractive to 

the birds. Along water edges, plant less-attractive 

vegetation, such as pachysandra, periwinkle, 

and euonymus. Waterfowl prefer nesting on 

islands, peninsulas, and undisturbed grounds. 

When landscaping, do not create small islands 

or peninsulas; where these features already exist, 

consider changes to make them 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, Mylar flags, screamer sirens, 

whistle bombs, shell crackers, and automatic 

exploders will help keep geese and other waterfowl 

from feeding and resting on property. Move these 

items periodically. Before using noisemakers or 

pyrotechnics, check local and State regulations for 

permit requirements and any other limits on using 

firearms and pyrotechnics. 

• Use dogs to keep geese out of hay, grain crops, and 

parks. Most effective are free-ranging dogs trained to 

chase birds as soon as they land. However, be aware 

of local leash laws, which may prevent such use of 

dogs. Some communities have enlisted volunteer 

human/canine teams of trained and reliable pets for 

harassing waterfowl in parks. 

• Remove domestic ducks and geese. Domestic ducks 

and geese serve as decoys to wild waterfowl, since 

birds may learn to locate food sources by watching 

other birds. Removing domestic waterfowl may 

make the area less attractive. While you don’t need a 

Federal permit, you do need to check with local law 

enforcement about State, county, and municipal laws 

and regulations before removing domestic waterfowl. 

Removal techniques must comply with all applicable 

laws, regulations, and policies. 

A Wildlife Services biologist applies corn oil to a goose 

egg. This treatment prevents eggs from developing and 

reduces the potential for re-nesting.
• Prevent nesting. It can help control local populations 

of waterfowl if property owners keep them from 

nesting. Nest treatment usually involves manipulating 

eggs so they do not develop. Methods include addling 

(shaking), oiling with corn oil, puncturing, chilling, 

or replacing eggs. Returning treated eggs to the 

nest encourages adult birds to remain on the nest 

beyond the expected hatching date, which reduces 

or prevents the potential for re-nesting. Waterfowl 

are protected by State and Federal laws, so property 

owners must register with FWS before carrying 

out nest treatment work. To register, go to https://

epermits.fws.gov/eRCGR/geSI.aspx.

• Hunting. Where it is safe and legal, hunting can help 

control some species of residential waterfowl. Your 

State wildlife management agency can advise you on 

local laws and regulations. 

Other Options

Depredation Permits 

After using some of these management techniques 

over an extended period with little to no success, a 

depredation permit can be requested. Shooting a 

few birds each day may improve the effectiveness of 

harassment. However, shooting may be impractical 

and/or prohibited in urban damage situations, due to 

safety concerns, local noise and discharge ordinances, 

and adjacent land uses. Federal and/or State permits 

are always required. 

Capture and Relocation or Removal

Under certain circumstances, Wildlife Services may 

capture urban waterfowl using live traps or tranquilizers 

and relocate them. Many State wildlife agencies 

discourage the relocation of waterfowl within their 

borders because of the potential to create problems 

elsewhere in the State. Since Canada geese instinctively 

try returning to areas where they were born and raised, 

they should be moved at least 200 miles away from 

their nesting site.

Capturing and removing birds by humane euthanasia 

can enhance the effectiveness of other management 

methods. It can successfully reduce the local waterfowl 

population, particularly resident Canada geese. Federal 

and some State regulations may allow the capture 

and removal of resident Canada geese between April 

1 and August 31. Geese are most easily corralled 

during the molting period when they lose their primary 

flight feathers, leaving them flightless. From mid-June 

through early July, the waterfowl can be captured 

with netted panel traps. Where allowed, euthanized 

geese may be donated as a food source to charitable 

organizations. 

Only trained professionals, including Wildlife Services 

biologists, with the required permits should carry out 

capture and removal work. Community input is also 

important in any decision to use this approach, as it 

can be a sensitive issue.

Learn More 

For more information about managing waterfowl 

damage, obtaining a depredation permit, or Wildlife 

Services’ work, call us at 1-866-4USDA-WS (1-866-

487-3297) or go to www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlifedamage.

Wildlife Services is not the only source of wildlife damage management services available to the public. Private-sector wildlife damage management providers may 

also be available. Wildlife Services does not endorse or recommend any specific private-sector provider or the use of any specific product over another.

Mention of companies or commercial products does not imply recommendation or endorsement by USDA over others not mentioned. USDA neither guarantees nor 

warrants the standard of any product mentioned. Product names are mentioned solely to report factually on available data and to provide specific information.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

APHIS 11-15-005