African Geese

We have four domestic geese that claim ownership of our common lake behind our home. They freely roam wherever they choose. They frighten some folks and young children but are only doing their “large goose” thing. They are very noisy when they want. I do not fear them and actually enjoy their “boss” attitude.

We incorrectly called them Canadian geese for many years. They are not. The breed is called the African Goose. Why they received the name African is unknown. The only explanation is that it was customary in earlier times (1850’s in the USA) to give newly introduced or developed breeds of poultry exotic names. They have linage to Chinese geese.