Canada geese

The Park Board monitors the size and distribution of resident geese and has noted a steady increase in numbers over the last several decades. The number of geese is having a negative impact on park spaces, including:

• Excessive amounts of droppings - a goose defecates once every nine minutes while it’s eating
• Damaged turf
• Impacts on water quality
• Overgrazing of estuary sedge-grasses that are important habitat for salmon

A goose can lay up to 8 eggs per clutch, resulting in large numbers of goslings annually.

Canada geese can become aggressive toward people, dogs, and native waterfowl, especially during nesting season. With a growing number of resident geese in Vancouver, the number of conflicts is set to increase.

A growing number of resident geese means there is less physical habitat to support important native birds that contribute to wildlife diversity in the city.

The Park Board's current approach to population management uses egg addling to limit population growth. Egg addling in Vancouver involves shaking newly laid eggs in a nest, so fewer goslings will be born.

This approach to limiting population growth is supported by the BC SPCA and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Park Board staff have the necessary federal permits to perform this activity, as issued by Environment Canada Under the Migratory Birds Convention Act External website, opens in new tab. 

The Park Board has established a Canada Goose Management Plan PDF file (12 MB) to manage the size and distribution of the resident Canada goose population. The implementation of this plan will involve applying a suite of measures to mitigate impacts of a growing goose population on parks including: increased egg addling, landscape modification, hazing, and public education. The plan also allows population reduction, which would only be applied with the permission of regulators and after other measures have been proven insufficient.  

Resident geese nest all over the city, including on private property. Their nests are often found on rooftops and balconies, requiring Park Board staff to access these spaces.

Reporting nests

A key to a successful addling program is to find new nests. If you see a nest, please do not disturb it.

Report nests on private and public property, including an address and details about the nest location:

• Online using Van311 
• By email to geese@vancouver.ca

Geese like to nest up high and they often return to the same nesting place each year. They are seeking a flat area away from predators with access to water. Prevent geese from nesting on your balcony or rooftop where they might become a stranded or a nuisance by:

• Installing trees, shrubs, tall grasses, or furniture to make the rooftop less flat.
• Removing sources of water including fountains, pools, ponds, or even just small puddles.
• Using reflective tape or stickers, motion-detector lights, or scarecrows to make the rooftop unfriendly.
• Implementing these measures in fall or winter so your rooftop is ready before spring nesting season.