Population and Spatial Dynamics of Resident Canada Geese in Southeastern Nebraska

In response to increasing populations, damage complaints, and a desire to understand population and spatial dynamics, we studied population size, survival rates, home ranges, movements, and site fi delity of female resident Canada geese (Branta canadensis) at 18 study sites within 23 km of Lincoln, Nebraska, during 1991-1994. Based on mean fl ock size ( = 93) and number of collared geese in fl ocks ( = 13), the estimated population of resident Canada geese was nearly 4,000. Estimated monthly survival for female Canada geese was 0.94. Mean home range of female resident Canada geese was 25 km 2 , and mean maximum distance moved between use areas was 13 km. Collared female Canada geese expressed strong site fi delity, with 16% of relocated individuals observed at only 1 location during a single year. Other collared geese were observed at a single site during 75% of all observations. Our fi ndings suggest that management efforts to address complaints about nuisance Canada geese must be implemented on the local level to be successful.