Kissing Geese

 

Wild geese can live up to fifteen years, though they’re more likely to live longer in protected areas. As far as we know, geese mate for life. (I should note we used to believe that about penguins, until someone started DNA testing their chicks.) When flying long distances, geese adopt a V-formation to reduce drag, conserve energy, and increase their flying range. The collective noun for geese is gaggle, but only while they’re on the ground. When they’re flying together, a group of geese is called a wedge or a skein. I don't know the collective noun for swimming geese. Maybe a flotilla? Geese are primarily herbivores, but they’ve been known to eat insects and small fish. If you’d like to feed the wild geese in your neighborhood, skip the bread. It’s not healthy for them, and can attract vermin. Instead, try offering them cracked corn, leafy greens like lettuce, kale, or chard, or chopped vegetables like carrots, peas or green beans.