Parental calls and the approach behavior of young Canada geese: a laboratory study

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Author: Cowan, P. J.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1973
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Canada; Canada Goose
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z73-095; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z73-095

A laboratory experiment was conducted to test whether parental calls of the Canada goose, calls A, B, and C, each recorded from a different individual goose, differentially affect the approach behavior of call A experienced and parental call naive goslings. Experience before with call A produced a greater number of approach responses to this call relative to the other calls and a parental call of the ring-billed gull. After training with a call, in the experiment paired with visual movement, individual parental calls can have distinct effects on the approach behavior of goslings. This process involving auditory and visual elements may be the basis of individual recognition in the Canada goose.