Canadian Geese Swimming Underwater (1 Viewer)

[SeattleDan]

I've been living in the Northwest US more on than off for over 35 years. Canadian Geese are very common. Today, there were maybe 25 geese in the river here, and they were all, swimming underwater for up to 5-10 yards.

I have never seen a Canadian swim underwater like this. They are large birds. I don't know if this is a migration behavior, or related to a food source, (Salmon fry or fingerling Trout). If so, I didn't know they could fish that way.

It was quite entertaining and I wish I'd been making video. Perhaps this exact crew will come back tomorrow and I'll be ready.

Has anyone else observed this?

 

[stonechat1]

Yes, e.g. here: http://youtu.be/JH-xmIVS4S0?t=45s

 

[Big D60]

I have seen Canadas do this a couple of times and more often their goslings do this to escape a predator. I have seen a wounded bird do this trying to escape when someone was trying to capture it to help it. They can travel quite a distance underwater.

 

[Farnboro John]

They will dive when competing for mates/territory but seem to pop up rapidly having avoided the initial assault.

John

 

[Warren White]

I observed this yesterday in central New York. There was a family of about 15 geese and goslings. Only the goslings of about 8 weeks old were the ones who were diving. They did not appear to be diving for food, and I assumed they were too young to be seeking a mate. It was a warm day, 85 degrees Fahrenheit. I assumed it was a technique they used to keep cool, or a grooming process being that their feathers had not completely come in. I have a video if anyone is interested.

 

[DDebraJean]

I've been living in the Northwest US more on than off for over 35 years. Canadian Geese are very common. Today, there were maybe 25 geese in the river here, and they were all, swimming underwater for up to 5-10 yards.

I have never seen a Canadian swim underwater like this. They are large birds. I don't know if this is a migration behavior, or related to a food source, (Salmon fry or fingerling Trout). If so, I didn't know they could fish that way.

It was quite entertaining and I wish I'd been making video. Perhaps this exact crew will come back tomorrow and I'll be ready.

Has anyone else observed this?

Yes, just today I had at least any where from twenty to fifty on the river. Wasn't sure what was going on. If they were eating or possibly something was after those webed paddles. It surely was a site to see.
Watertown, Wisconsin February 20th, 2022

 

[KC Foggin]

I have never seen this particular breed of Goose swimming underwater and I stop by a local lake a few times each week.
Any particular time of day you see it more often?

 

[Alrob63]

I've been living in the Northwest US more on than off for over 35 years. Canadian Geese are very common. Today, there were maybe 25 geese in the river here, and they were all, swimming underwater for up to 5-10 yards.

I have never seen a Canadian swim underwater like this. They are large birds. I don't know if this is a migration behavior, or related to a food source, (Salmon fry or fingerling Trout). If so, I didn't know they could fish that way.

It was quite entertaining and I wish I'd been making video. Perhaps this exact crew will come back tomorrow and I'll be ready.

Has anyone else observed this?

I have seen this recently at a fishery in Stourport Uk. About 40 plus Canadians arrived on a lake and about 4-6 of them were submerging for about 3-5 meters at a time. Looked like they were taking a bath. Never seen this behaviour before though.