Geese belong to the duck family. The goose is known for its fierce hissing, biting and striking with their wings, to frighten off predators from its young. This, and their alarm 'honking', also makes them good guards.

Types of geese
There are several species of wild geese in Britain. The Canada Geese is the most common.

Most geese have been bred from the Greylag wild goose. The most important domestic geese in this country are the all-grey Toulouse, from France, and the all-white Embden, from Germany. Chinese Geese come from the Asian Swan-goose.

Geese will migrate for thousands of miles, flying in 'V' formation.

The eggs take about 30 days to hatch into goslings, which can swim within a day or two.

What do geese eat?
Grain and grass.

Average lifespan
10 - 25 years.