Goose Patrol
While I was at the pond last week, shooting some pictures for my blog. As you might have seen on previous photo gallery of ducks. What I did not mention at that time was the presence of a group of white geese also frolicked around the pond. That by itself it wouldn’t be anything out of the ordinary… if what I witnessed and photographed wouldn’t have happened. My first time to have witnessed an event at the pond that I’d never have expected!.
A female white goose was normally swimming aroung the pond by herself when suddenly a male goose sped his swimming and jumped on top of the female, the male goose weigh almost double the weigh of a female, he held the female on a tight grip and forcibly dipping her head under water he proceeded to the act of copulating. Her struggle was futile. She could hardly keep her head out of the water to breathe. The struggle continued for a few minutes when suddenly another male goose came rushing and knocked the attacker from the top of the female and the fierce fight ensued, very violent and without mercy. The bout took a few minutes and the abuser was chased while he escaped. The female was shaken and left the scene shortly.
As a witness with my camera I personally thought that the female was raped by her attacker which was challenged and beaten by another male that valiantly rescued her.
Why do I think that? I have witnessed many avians, including ducks and geese when copulation was consummated, was always consensual and within the normal natural ways.
In this case there was intent to a deliberate act and force was involved!. The way that the attacker was acting before the aggression led me to think that something was going to happen, the way he was waiting until she was far enough from the others, also the sudden sprint on swimming speed to catch up to her, she never saw that coming!
I’m still trying to process the attacker’s behavior, I have never read about anything similar to that. I’ll keep researching!
Photo Gallery
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- # 1 – Attacker
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- #2
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- # 3
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- # 4
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- # 5
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- # 6
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- # 7
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- # 8
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- # 9
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- # 10
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- # 11 – Hero rescuer
Text and photos © HJ Ruiz – Avian101
H.J. Ruiz - Avian101 
How very interesting.
Indeed! Thank you Susan! 🙂
I agree. Sounds like rape to me. Birds can be so affectionate as couples. What you described wasn’t couple behavior.
Thank you K.! 🙂
I agree. I’ve been watching wildlife for years and have never witnessed such an event. There are times where the male has been aggressive, but the females submit. As to bird life, family matters. The fact the another male set the female free says a lot. I’m interested in what your research reveals concerning this incident.
Just like myself I’ve seen plenty of reproductive events. However I had never witnessed anything like this. My first and last personal opinion in conclusion rules for a forced act. I’ll try to find any other records on the Web and other sources. Of course if I find something I will let everyone know on a post. Thanks Judy! 🙂
Thanks, much appreciated.
🙂
Great shots as usual HJ and what an interesting incident…wonder how that kind of violence is perceived within the goose community…but glad the hero was there to save the day!
Justice prevails! Thank you Neha for sharing! 🙂
Glad the female was able to finally leave the scene! I’ve seen ducks mating when the male appears to practically drown the female – It will be interesting to hear if there is more to this, based on your further research.
If I find something similar to this case I’ll write about it for sure! Thanks Ashley for your sharing! 🙂
I meant Carol! I’m sorry!
Birders Journey ;-D
Oops, didn’t see that! Carol is good, too!☺️
Wow. I am speechless. Never thought human male behavior was actually a male trait throughout the animal kingdom. Very disappointing and disheartening.
Thank you Emilio for sharing! 🙂
Our male mallards give the females hell during the mating season.
Thank you for sharing Tom! 🙂
What an interesting observation HJ and at least a happy ending. Not good to think rape might be happening in the animal world, but why wouldn’t it? No drugs to blame either!
Thank you for your interesting comment Barbara! I appreciate it! 🙂
Like Birders Journey and Mr Tootlepedal I have also seen Mallards behaving in a similar way with often more than one male duck trying to mate with one female at the same time. The females often look as though in danger of drowning. Good observations and photos HJ. Let us know what you find out as I have never heard before that geese behave like this.
I understand that perfectly because I’ve seen many different species of birds and they proceeded in a known sexual pattern. This event with geese struck me as out of the ordinary. It’s because of the male goose’s behavior prior to the attack that led me to keep an eye on them. I’m very keen on social behavior whether human or animal. I got a red flag immediately! … and I wasn’t the only one that noticed! Thanks Clare! 🙂
Perhaps he is a rogue male?
That’s exactly what I’ll try to find out. Thanks Clare! 🙂
I have also never witnessed anything like this. Happy the rescuer was right there! My hero 🙂
While that was happening the rescuer was on land with the rest of geese. He didn’t fly but he swam like a champion to the rescue. You’re right to call him a hero. Thanks Tiny! 🙂
A New Scientist article (from 2007) says about 3% of bird species have developed significant organs which that do not rely on the females co-operation, and apparently the females of these species have developed their own convoluted internal organs to prevent unwanted insemination. Various places on the internet mention this is common behaviour in some duck and geese species. Not nice to witness!
Thank you Christine for your sharing! 🙂
Wow, fascinating. I wonder if this is a byproduct of domestication. I’ve seen two Canada Geese fights this spring, but only the males were involved…no forced sex. Great shots.
Yes I think that it’s fascinating, because all through the years I’ve never seen that happen before. Thanks Lisa for sharing! 🙂