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Name: Beverly R.
Status: other
Age: 60s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 2/13/2004
Question:
Do geese fly in circles several times daily to generate heat in freezing temps? I have noticed them doing this morning noon an night in the same areas. It has been very cold,and i thought they may freeze if they do not keep flying.

Replies:
Interesting question. I don't think they fly to generate warmth, they do move from place to place, often in morning and evening moving from feeding to resting areas. There are many other reasons geese might fly, like disturbance, or moving from one feeding area to another. Small birds frequently shiver to generate warmth in cold weather, I don't know if geese do but I think that would be a more likely response than flying.

J. Elliott

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