If the world were as accepting of orphans as Canada geese, no child would be without a family. When an orphan gosling approaches a family, the orphan is automatically a part of the animal family and raised as its hatchling. This is seen consistently in Canada goose families with baby geese of a similar age.
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Think Wild, a Wildlife Hospital and Conservation Center for Central Oregon, frequently finds orphaned goslings. After checking their health and making necessary rehabilitative efforts, they search for a suitable family. Once they locate one with goslings around the same age, they will release the orphan nearby. The orphaned gosling blends immediately into its new family.
Canada geese mate for life when they are two to three years old. If a partner is lost, the remaining goose will mourn, then find a new partner during the next mating season. They are fiercely loyal within the family setting. A mated pair raises their brood together. Male and female Canada geese are almost indistinguishable from one another. Males are slightly larger and have a more robust honk. Watch as another orphan gosling meets its adoptive family.
Did you see the happy little hop when the orphan gosling spotted its new family? There were no questions, just acceptance. This little tyke was probably a few days younger than its new siblings, but they are close enough.
Wildlife rescue facilities track mated couples that nest near their facility. They can guess the approximate age of an orphaned gosling by size and coloration. Canada geese are almost fluorescent when hatched, like a yellow-green tennis ball. They get darker as they grow, eventually matching the adults.
As annoying as Canada geese are, this is a cool trait.
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