Hi All,
Can you help me out with this one?
As I have listened to Snow and Ross's Geese fly overhead, I hear both
the low grunting and the high squeaking calls. Most of the time it
seems as if one of a piar makes the low grunt while the other
responds with the squeak. Canada geese, ducks, and even Sandhill
cranes seem to also keep up similar vocal contact while in flight as
a pair.
So the question is whether one is the male and the other female and
if so, which makes which call. BNA reports that both sexes make both
calls, but I wonder?
Here is my guess: I guess the female makes the grunt and the male
makes the squeak. Why this guess? The grunt seems analogous to the
quack of female ducks. The female doesn't need to worry about
keeping in contact with the male, that's his worry. There are plenty
of males if this one loses his way. The male squeaks in almost a
frantic attempt to keep the attention of the female.
Anyone know for sure? Any ideas?
Thanks,
Kevin Colver
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