Nature notes: courting Canada geese

Canada geese are courting, and perform a curious ceremony when they do. If the pair is on the water, the male suddenly swims aggressively towards another male, cackling loudly, with his black-and-white neck stretched out along the surface of the water. When the other male retreats, the courting male swims back to the female with an air of triumph, cackling and whooping. He moves alongside her and they both start writhing their neck and turning their head to do some vigorous mock preening. The female may dip her head and neck into the water. A similar performance takes place when they are on land. Rather bizarrely, If there is no other goose nearby, the male simply attacks an imaginary rival, then comes back and exults in the same way. Mating may sometimes follow, but not always. Canada geese are not popular because of the mess they leave on towpaths, but they are handsome and interesting birds.