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17-04-2006, 02:51 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,614
| | | Bird Question
Two weeks ago I photographed the Egyptian Geese with their young and helping to protect them was a Greylag Goose. Every visit since I have seen the whole family with the Greylag acting as step mum. In fact the youngsters spend more time with her than their real mum and if any Swan or Canada Goose comes near the Greylag soon see's them off. They go everywhere as a complete family. http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ga...mage-8129.html
Is this normal?
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17-04-2006, 03:01 PM
|  | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: N.E.SOMERSET
Posts: 6,456
| | | Re: Bird Question
On wildlife SOS a Canada Goose was stepdad to a Mallard family(I think it was mallards ,definitely another species) it had been to the rescue centre and when re-released it was recieved back by its family with great affection!
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17-04-2006, 04:16 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jan 2006
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| | | Re: Bird Question
Quote: |
Originally Posted by nightshade On wildlife SOS a Canada Goose was stepdad to a Mallard family(I think it was mallards ,definitely another species) it had been to the rescue centre and when re-released it was recieved back by its family with great affection! | I did not realise that different species mixed like this.
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17-04-2006, 04:21 PM
|  | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: North Lincolnshire
Posts: 6,507
| | | Re: Bird Question
Never seen this behaviour myself before, but some domestic animals do foster other's young given the chance. Judging by your observations it seems birds are capable of this as well.
Ollie |
17-04-2006, 04:23 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jan 2006
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| | | Re: Bird Question
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Ollie Never seen this behaviour myself before, but some domestic animals do foster other's young given the chance. Judging by your observations it seems birds are capable of this as well.
Ollie | I can understand fostering of orphaned youngsters but in this case both Egyptian Geese are still around and also looking after the young.
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17-04-2006, 04:40 PM
| | Wild Member | | Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 132
| | | Re: Bird Question
I've seen a vagrant Buff-breasted Sandpiper that seemed to have 'adopted' a Lapwing family. I'd guess it's something that happens occasionally when the 'adopter' has no congeners to breed or associate with. Could be related to an inbuilt 'urge' in birds - like when birds are sometimes seen feeding young of a another species? |
17-04-2006, 04:41 PM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: North Lincolnshire
Posts: 6,507
| | | Re: Bird Question
Can't shed any further light on this behaviour. The Eygptian Geese must approve of the Greylag and you would think there would be some sort of bond between them but can't think why.
Ollie |
17-04-2006, 04:42 PM
|  | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Coventry
Posts: 5,719
| | | Re: Bird Question
You always get something like this happen from time to time. Our offices in Leamington Spa used to be beside the River Leam (before we moved). Last year a pair of Swans were joined by a feral white Goose. Not long after the Swans had a family of Cygnets and the goose used to sit guard by the side of the Female Mute Swan whilst the Cob looked on. Sometimes the goose would sit by the side of both Swans.
When on the water it was the goose that warned everything away and was far more attentive than the Swans.
Below are a few photos of this unusual alliance.
John |
17-04-2006, 04:55 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,614
| | | Re: Bird Question
Quote: |
Originally Posted by John You always get something like this happen from time to time. Our offices in Leamington Spa used to be beside the River Leam (before we moved). Last year a pair of Swans were joined by a feral white Goose. Not long after the Swans had a family of Cygnets and the goose used to sit guard by the side of the Female Mute Swan whilst the Cob looked on. Sometimes the goose would sit by the side of both Swans.
When on the water it was the goose that warned everything away and was far more attentive than the Swans.
Below are a few photos of this unusual alliance.
John | Thanks John, its interesting how the breeds take to each other.
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17-04-2006, 05:15 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,614
| | | Re: Bird Question
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17-04-2006, 05:43 PM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Coventry
Posts: 5,719
| | | Re: Bird Question
Quote: |
Originally Posted by digi | And what a fantastic photo you have taken of them.
John |
17-04-2006, 05:46 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,614
| | | Re: Bird Question
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17-04-2006, 06:20 PM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Coventry
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| | | Re: Bird Question
Quote: |
Originally Posted by digi | I was looking at him and the family photos as well. They are all excellent. I think these Egyptian Geese chicks are amo0ngst the nicest chicks around.
BTW, your story obviously reminded me of the story I told you about earlier so I have actually done a more expanded thread about the event under the title of An Unusual Alliance.
John | | |
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