Take down of Flt 1549 by Canada Geese

While I hope to celebrate urban wildlife in this blog, there are times that I will discuss some species that cause minor or major problems for humans. Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) are one such species that are making national headlines due to their causal role in the crashing of Flt 1549 into the Hudson River. Apparently the pilots observed a flock of geese in formation moments before an explosion was heard leading to the eventual descent to the Hudson. The "ingestion" of two or more Canada Geese by the engines is believed to have caused the crash landing.

Populations of B. canadensis, as well as other waterfowl such as Greater and Lesser Snow Geese have drastically increased over the last four decades. These birds are considered a nuisance because their droppings can contaminate water supplies and lead to eutrophication of water bodies. More commonly encountered are the numerous droppings on playing fields and other open green spaces. Given Flt 1549 and other not so fortunate incidents with Canada Geese and other birdlife, there will likely be controversy over culling and other methods of control.

Despite all this, it is important to look back to how B. canadensis came to be so abundant in New York City and other urban areas. In the late 1800s, the population of B. canadensis was extremely low across North America due to hunting by humans and natural predation by coyotes, red fox and other carnivores. Around this time, William Hornaday, the first director of the Bronx Zoo, was awed by the beauty and rarity of Canada Geese observed on an expedition to Canada. Later on, in the mid 20th century, numerous well-intentioned introduction programs led to the establishment of Canada Geese throughout the USA. Currently, it is estimated that there are over five million B. canadensis in North America.

While it is easy to blame the geese, perhaps we aught to also look at the influence of the landscape we have created...

Ultimately, what has made B. canadensis so successful in urban and suburban landscapes is the abundance of open grassy fields in urban landscapes, where the birds can graze free of predation by carnivores that are no longer present. Abundant food (grass and supplemental feeding by humans) has resulted in some populations that, rather than migrating south, remain in cities through the winter. The urban heat island effect (warmer temperatures in cities due to prevalence of concrete and lack of vegetation) may also contribute to urban populations of B. canadensis. However, the impact with Flt 1549 occurred at about 3000 ft, suggesting that the geese were migrating (resident geese seem to fly less than 300 ft or so), albeit perhaps after or before descending for a brief rest somewhere in the Bronx.

So what should we do? Funding for ecological and wildlife management studies of Canada Geese populations wouldn't hurt. As the geese seem to congregate on large open fields we may want to reduce land devoted to golf courses which get limited use by adults (as opposed to ballfields which are heavily used by children), or at least, plant more trees to limit their 'landing paths'. Planting trees (ala Million Tree Initiative) would also be a good idea on land currently managed for short grass (along highways etc.) by Dept. of Transportation. A final possibility? Hasten the return of the coyote to parts of NYC!