Normal Behavior??

While I was out driving around yesterday, my eye caught a bird standing in a very small pond. I turned the car around, parked alongside the busy highway and went over w/ my camera to investigate. Turns out it was "just" a Canada Goose (very, very common in NE PA anymore), but it wasn't standing upright. This goose was on a fallen tree in the shallow pond, and had it's head and body horizontal to the water. I snapped pics and watched for 10-15 minutes. It kept its head in or near the water almost the entire time. Finally, it started paddling over to the far side of the pond, head still firmly planted down. Later, it picked up its head on the other side, but it just didn't look right. I mean I know they feed, but this seemed to go on and on, and the bird was unphased by my attempts to rouse it with calling and splashing the water. Just wondering if this is normal behavior of if there was possibly a problem. I'll post a few of the pics here to follow the trail.

#2

moving

finally on the other side, picks up head a bit.

I have seen birds with heavy metal poising doing this and given that you tried to rouse the bird and it continued I would say it probably was not a feeding behavior, I do bird rehab and would suggest you check back – if it’s sick enough that you can approach/pick up definitely try to get it to a rehab facility.

I would agree that it is probably heavy metal poisoning from lead it has ingested.

Oh crap, I thought it was really odd. That makes me sick to my stomach. And I hate the way the head and neck look in the last shot. I'll try to get back there. thank you so much for the info.

I think that Botulism would also have to be considered here. Muscle paralysis results in an inability to raise the head, death by drowning may eventually occur. Worth contacting the authorities.

My bet is with Gary's suggestion of botulism. In waterfowl the single most common sign thereof is loss of muscle tone in the muscles of the neck, followed by the muscles of the wings and legs. The common lay term for avain botulism is "limber neck". A "limber neck" is not a common sign of heavy metal toxicity, however, just an overall weakness that can terminally affect all muscle masses, not specifically those of the neck. In lead tiocicity, the most common heavy metal intoxication, there is commonly (but by no means always...) a swelling due to edema of the head and upper neck.

Botulism occurs when the birds feed on maggots found on rotting carcasses , most often of winter-filled animals. The fly larvae are unaffected by and concentrate the the toxin of Clostridium botulinum bacteria growing in the decomposing carcass's tissues. Where one duck or goose is found affected with botulism, there are likely others, and if bald eagles are in the area, they are also at risk from feeding on the local carrion, esp. of the carcasses of waterfowl dead of botulism. It's typically a problem most common in the early spring. Interestingly, the more dedicated carrion feeders, such as vultures, are resistant to the effects of the ingested toxin of Clostridium botulinum.

Dave Graham, Estelline, SD

Oh wow. Thank you for the info. Rumor has bald eagles in the area too, though I have yet to spot one. Sad, I'll do what I can.

I would say that the goose is just trying to "hide" from you, probably has a nest nearby. I often see this behavior, especially in the spring.

Really Jake?? hmmm. I don't know, something didn't look right. THOUGH, as I was driving down the highway before I stopped, the only reason I stopped was because I saw a large bird upright out of the corner of my eye, and turned around to investigate. But it didn't "stand" after I got there. Interesting. Still haven't been able to make it back there.

Y'know, Jake's got a point! I have, actually, seen a few canadas display this "head held low" act while they quickly departed the scene, but never for a prolonged period of time, as seems to have been the case here. Gotta admit, though, it needs to be considered, particularly if no other similarly affected geese or other waterfowl are found in the area. Tunnel vision can make a fool outta you, sometimes! The wildlife disease guy will see Botulism; the waterfowl behaviorist will see ... well...behavior!

Dave Graham

well, no offense to anyone, but I hope it is the "act" instead of the alternative. I really didn't feel good about this.

I would go with the hiding behavior I see it a lot. Since the bird moved off nd was aware of it's surroundings.

different pond, different bird, same act. though it ended up out in the middle putting on a show.