Cooperative hunting of Canada Geese (<em>Branta canadensis</em>) by Gray Wolves (<em>Canis lupus</em>) in northern Quebec
Author(s) -
Theodore C. Nichols
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the canadian field-naturalist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.21
H-Index - 28
ISSN - 0008-3550
DOI - 10.22621/cfn.v129i3.1731
Subject(s) - canis , branta , flock , predation , gray wolf , goose , gray (unit) , waterfowl , systemic lupus erythematosus , geography , biology , ecology , zoology , habitat , disease , pathology , radiology , medicine
Gray Wolves ( Canis lupus ) are opportunistic predators that feed mainly on ungulates across their range. Incidental to a Canada Goose ( Branta canadensis ) leg banding program in northern Quebec, I observed what appeared to be a predation attempt by three wolves on a flock of 28 Canada Geese at a time when geese were just regaining their flight capability following their annual remige moult (4 August 2003). Although I was able to observe only a short period of this presumed predation attempt, it seemed apparent from the position of the wolves and geese that this was ambushing behaviour described by other authors with other prey species.
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