Unexpected Visitor

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This afternoon our ducks were joined by a Goose which just dropped out of the sky. He/she not sure which, spent the early afternoon wandering about the duck pen, ate a little corn and some grass, then fell asleep with the motley crew of elderly ducks, whilst the 8 young Campbells kept guard and chased off inquisitive cats.

I expected the visitor to disappear by dusk, but as I went to shut up the house, the two oldest/largest ducks were in conference with the Goose, then all three waddled up the ramp and into the house.

I'm not too good a Goose recognition, but I'm now guessing that a wild goose wouldn't opt to sleep inside so easily.

Anyone any thoughts?

Is this a good thing or bad.

Never a dull moment here, that's for sure.
 
I wouldn't expect a wild goose to go in the house either.could have strayed from somewhere,what colour markings has he/she got or could you post a pic.
 
I'd go for domestic too - I've never heard of wild geese using a house. Have a look at this Goose breeds page to see if it looks like any of these...? Could be a cross though.

Are there any commercial suppliers of geese in your area?

The down side is possible disease that it could bring in, the upside, if it's a goose it's a good time of year to get some eggs :D
 
Still not sure what breed type.

Was more reluctant to go to bed last night, but the 4 Male Campbells came out and talked him/her in.
 

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Looks like a pilgrim goose to me,or a pilgrim goose crossed with something else,does look like a pure pilgrim goose to me though.
 
to me it looks like a greylag , perhaps it not doing too well in the cold weather and wants some company :?
 
I compared pics of Greylags and Pilgrims and they are very similar. Apart from one being wild and the other domesticated.

Looking at your pic and comparing it to both in other pics I'd lean toward Greylag at this point. Mainly because of the neck and head markings and the more defined feather colouring on the body. Pilgrim geese seem to be lighter in colouring and also have less defined markings. And a few other slight differences.

Of course this is just my guess based on studying numerous pics of both.

If this one is a wild greylag it will probably be gone in a few days.
 
Difficult to believe that a wild goose would be happy to walk up a wooden ramp and into a house, although it must be female, as it decided it had to give me the run around by jumping off the ramp when it say me then trotting behind the house, only to do another lap of the pen (twice) and then had the last word, before calmly walking up to bed.
 
Looks like a Greylag to me - Pilgrim geese have white on the head. Grey Pomeranian Geese look very very much like this but I don't think they have the black tip on the end of the tail. I would guess at part domesticated Greylag that has lived on a lake or pond somewhere fairly close to people.

The wild greylag geese migrate and come into Scotland and are seasonal - but the East of the UK have greylags and these are not as wild - They often settle around lakes / town ponds and don't migrate and are more used to people... I didn't know this, I read it on the RSPB site!
 
It does look like a greylag, not a Pilgrim. It surely must have been raised as a domestic as no way would a wild bird walk up a ramp into a house, even domestics can prefer not to go in.

If "she" is a she because she gives you the run around when you try to get her in to bed do you find males more receptive to your advances?
 
Great answer, but never been in that position.

The Drakes usually do as they are told by the Ducks, although they are very good at coming back out to round up any missing Ducks, especially Wendy who hasn't quite got the hang of the ramp and ends up under it.

We did have a Duck called Ronnie (Brother Reggie - they looked like they were wearing DJs) who would put all the Ducks to bed, then refuse to go in himself. Until he eventually got foxed.
 
Just to let you know, the Goose did fly off, for about 20 minutes and has been back ever since.

She now leads to Ducks into the house at night, gently honking as they quack to each other.
 
That's lovely Earthly - did wonder if you still had her/him. How funny - you have obviously ticked all it's boxes for it to stay. As long as it doesn't tell all it's family and friends :lol:
 
Aaah,that's lovely Earthly,so pleased you've still got him/her.what have you named him/her?
 
The not very original "Lucy".

I think she (I'm sure it's a she) is waiting for other Geese to overfly so she can join them.

Might have a long wait as we rarely see Geese in flight.

She calls out now and again. If she tries at dusk, she is answered by Owls.
 
Ah,you'll have to get her some goosey friends,then she wont need to find any herself.I think Lucky Lucy has landed well and truly on her webbed feet.
 
If you think you want a boyfriend for her please look my way. I have a spare 09 Pilgrim gander needing a goosey girlfriend. He currently spends his day with the ducks.
 
You must get him Earthly,well done Steeple Duck on hopefully a goose dating service :D .
 
The Goose is still in the hoose.

Our visitor is still with us. No eggs so I guess I was wrong she's a boy.

Now very much the leader of the pack (for the older Ducks) and is very very vocal about 'his' disgust when any of the young boys do what young boys do to any of the older ducks.
 
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