{"id":9634,"date":"2021-07-22T06:50:15","date_gmt":"2021-07-22T06:50:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/?p=9634"},"modified":"2021-07-22T06:55:18","modified_gmt":"2021-07-22T06:55:18","slug":"why-do-geese-hiss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/why-do-geese-hiss\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Do Geese Hiss?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There are various reasons why geese hiss. Primarily it is a defense mechanism to intimidate a perceived threat from coming any closer. Geese do this for several reasons \u2013 to protect their young, their partner, or their territory. Other motives may include telling other geese to back off, or because they want you to feed them. We will look at the reasons \u2018why do geese hiss\u2019 <\/em>in more detail below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does it Mean When a Goose Hisses?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Many domesticated breeds of geese can be very friendly once they are used to their keepers. Wild geese or ones you don\u2019t know, however, can be aggressive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you keep geese, handling and interacting with them regularly, so they see you as part of the flock, helps minimize aggression. It is usually only the male birds who become very aggressive, and this is generally more prevalent during the breeding season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason a goose hisses at you can have several causes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Defence <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Geese are very protective of their eggs, their young, their mate, and their territory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coming too close to a nesting female or young goslings is likely to get you in trouble, and a goose will hiss at you as a warning to stay away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to the way geese protect their territory, they are utilized to protect property in a similar way. They have been doing this for centuries and are just as good as a guard dog. In fact, geese often sound the alert well ahead of any canine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They will make a very loud honking sound if they hear or see someone approaching. Their excellent vision helps them to react quickly to movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Communication<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If one goose oversteps the mark and does something to annoy another, it may result in a hissing match. Geese also honk to communicate, but a hiss is generally more aggressive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The disagreement could be over food, goslings, or territory, and spats are usually short-lived in an established flock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may see geese flying overhead, making a honking noise during migration. This is done by the leaders to keep the flock together and encourage everyone to keep up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Attention<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If geese become used to being fed by you, they will begin to expect you to provide them with food whenever you enter their territory. It also removes their fear of other people too, making it more dangerous for others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t provide the expected food, some geese may get demanding and hiss as a sign that they want some. Sometimes when you are feeding the flock, a single goose may hiss because it isn\u2019t getting enough to eat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Geese are highly intelligent and remember individual people. This means if you feed them regularly, they will always expect you to do so. Hissing at you may just be a way they ask (or demand) food from you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Warning Signal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If a goose is hissing, you can be sure there\u2019s a good reason. Hissing is most often a warning defense that means – stay away!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you ignore the signal, then you stand a good chance of being attacked, particularly if they perceive you as a threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to do When a Goose Hisses at You<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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If a goose is hissing at you, you really don\u2019t want it to attack. Here are some valuable tips on how to avoid becoming a victim to a cross-goose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n