These pesky birds have lessons to share on love and unity

Canada geese are commonplace in New Jersey, and boy, can they be annoying. Each adult produces several pounds of goose poop per day, and the flocks are capable of turning parks, golf courses and sports fields into sludge piles.

The geese also pose a threat to air travel; it was a flock of Canada geese that sent a US Airways jet into the Hudson River in 2009.

But these birds also are a marvel of avian cooperation. In flight, flocks assume the classic ‘V’ formation, in which different members periodically take the lead to prevent individuals from tiring. And these geese, which can be so aggressive toward people, also offer a good example of cooperative parenting and heartwarming devotion.

During the spring, the flocks disperse and the ubiquitous big birds pair off in fields or near bodies of water. It’s mating season, and those adorable fuzzy goslings won’t be far behind.

Canada geese are monogamous and mate for life. Their elaborate courtship rituals, which take place before the spring migration, often include a showdown among males vying for the affection of a lady. The winning male then approaches the female, head lowered, and waves his neck from side to side in a courtly dance. When their pair bond is sealed, they set about building a home and family.

It’s the female’s job to scour out a hole in the ground, which she lines with grasses and a layer of down. The male serves as protector, defending his partner and their eggs.

A month later, the downy yellow hatchlings – about six ounces each – peck their way out into the world. Mom and dad are close at hand to keep them safe from raccoons, hawks, turtles and other predators. And soon, in a touching display, you’ll see the whole brood take to the nearest body of water, where the babies will swim in single file behind their mother, with dad bringing up the rear.

Within two months, the goslings will attain full plumage. Interestingly, the parents undergo a complete molt of flight feathers, and are unable to fly until their young take wing. The adults and their young remain together through migration; some young geese remain with their parents for a full year. At that point, just like the human parents of reluctant offspring, mother and dad finally force them to fend for themselves.

Getting to the Root of Parkway Pruning

There’s been much hue and cry about the clear-cutting of seasoned trees and other foliage on the Garden State Parkway, to which I must add my own “Amen.” Like many who regularly ride the parkway, over the past month or so I’ve grown increasingly dismayed to see the extent of the tree-cutting, which was not only excessive but also seemed very poorly executed. Some trees that still stand have been maimed, with major branches hanging off. Also, are the contractors going to grind the remaining stumps, or leave that stretch of the parkway looking like a tornado just blew through?

I was personally assured by a representative of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority that the tree-cutting was not part of a parkway widening project, which is on the agenda for the future but is not yet funded. Now it seems that statement was not only untrue but perhaps even deceptive; Senator Jeff Van Drew has called for public hearings to get to the bottom of things.

There’s nothing to be done now about the clear-cutting, but here’s hoping there is much more transparency and public input about such projects in the future.

Thanks for your sympathy

Several weeks ago I wrote a tribute to my beloved late guinea pig, Monty. It was a little self-indulgent, I admit, and very sentimental, but I wanted to make the point that guinea pigs, like other small animals, are not toys or “starter pets” but social, affectionate animals that can live for up to a decade and need regular care and attention.

I thought few people would trouble to read that column. To my amazement, it drew more response than any I’ve written to date. One reader even asked me to rescue a guinea pig in an unfortunate situation in New York, because as happens all too often, the parents bought a guinea pig for their child, who quickly lost interest. Ever since, the animal has been largely ignored, which to me is the equivalent of neglect. Of course, my surviving pig Eggie, who was used to the society of his friend Monty, craves companionship. We look forward to having the new pig, which hopefully will be arriving soon.

Thanks again everyone. And RIP Monty.