[Birdtalk] Snow Goose Feeding Cycle

[Mark Stackhouse]

It's also instructive to note that the energy requirements of the geese 
here, in mid-migration, are considerably greater than those of 
wintering birds in New Mexico, thus a greater amount of time spent 
feeding. The other factor that probably plays a part is the energy 
content of waste grain, that the birds are eating in New Mexico, is 
much higher than the new grass they're grazing upon here in the Spring. 
It would surprise me if the birds here did not feed for a much greater 
part of the day.

Of course, grass is less efficient digestively as well, so maybe a hat 
and keeping your face down if the flock launches over your observation 
point would be a good idea.

Stay clean!

Mark Stackhouse
mark at westwings.com
801-487-9453 (Salt Lake City, Utah, USA)
011-52-323-285-1243 (San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico)

On Mar 13, 2007, at 4:41 PM, Kristin Purdy wrote:

> Jim noted that he has not observed Snow Geese wintering at Bosque Del 
> Apache feed a second time in late afternoon/evening. But the second 
> feeding period is a likely possibility according to information in 
> Cornell's Birds of North America:
>  
> Often forages in large flocks (>1,000 individuals), flying or walking 
> between roosting and feeding areas; remains in one area for a 
> considerable amount of time feeding on underground plant parts. 
> Feeding cycle generally diurnal and bimodal, with peaks in early 
> morning and late evening (Palmer 1976, Davis et al. 1989); cycle may 
> vary in areas under tidal influence (Gauthier et al. 1988) or late 
> during spring migration (Alisauskas and Ankney 1992).
>  
> Maybe the Bosque birds are dieting to avoid becoming foie gras.
>  
> In addition, Betsy mentioned that she has encountered populations of 
> Snow Geese in her birding travels that feed twice during the day.
>  
> Kris_______________________________________________
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