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Canada Geese are increasingly becoming a nuisance across urban and suburban properties. Common goose complaints include excessive droppings, aggressive behaviour, and nesting in unsafe or high-traffic areas.
Canada geese are a common sight on rooftops of commercial buildings, in public parks, industrial yards, municipal green spaces, Toronto's waterfront, and on the shores of virtually all of Ontario's many lakes. So, what can be done about that? Let's explore why falconry for goose control (a humane, non-lethal method) is so much more successful than repellents and/or visual or sound-based deterrents.
Why Geese Are So Hard to Deter
First, we need to understand that geese are highly intelligent and social creatures that come with incredible homing instincts. When we hear homing instinct, we think of pigeons or doves... but geese are right up there. They learn and remember a migration journey thousands of miles long, from their spring nesting grounds to their winter home.
- Site Fidelity
Geese return to the same nesting site each year, as long as it is safe and can sustain a growing family; - Territorial Behaviour
Canada geese are highly territorial during nesting season, often causing conflict between bird and human; - Sheer Numbers
Geese travel and often nest in large flocks, creating widespread disruption; - Intelligence
Traditional goose deterrents lose effectiveness over time as geese quickly realize that they represent no physical danger (e.g., decoys, or noise, sprays).
How Birds of Prey Work as Natural Goose Deterrents
Birds of prey are natural predators and geese instinctively know that. Falconry for goose control takes advantage of the natural and inherent predator/prey relationship.
- Birds of prey tap into geese’s natural fear response;
- The presence of a predator (especially large and dominant birds like eagles) triggers immediate evacuation behaviour;
- No harm is done – it’s psychological intimidation, not physical capture;
- Repeated exposure builds a “conditioned avoidance response” in geese.
Birds of Prey Commonly Used for Bird Control
- Falcons
- Used in large open spaces, like landfills;
Used for gulls and ducks; - Not ideal for large, aggressive geese
- Used in large open spaces, like landfills;
- Hawks (e.g., Harris’s Hawk)
- Agile and able to navigate urban landscape, vineyards, and airport hangars;
- Commonly used in pest bird management;
- Not suitable for geese
- Eagles (e.g., Bald Eagles)
- Strong presence and size
- Best suited for intimidating and dispersing geese
- Particularly effective in open areas like airports, large lawns, rooftops, and parks
Why Eagles Are the Best Bird of Prey for Goose Control
- Intimidation Factor
Eagles are a top predator, able to take down a goose (although that is not the objective). Geese instinctively fear eagles; - Visibility
Eagles are large, dark raptors visible from long distances and instantly recognizable; - Versatility
Eagles are suited to work in open spaces (parks, rooftops, or runways) and complex environments; - Proven Effectiveness
Repeated eagle deployments create lasting avoidance behavior by Canada geese; - Low Disruption
Falconry using eagles produces no noise or mess; eagles blend into the environment and are safe around the public when flown by an experienced falconer.
How Eagles Are Used in Professional Canada Goose Control Programs
Step 1: Site Assessment
- Evaluate property type (industrial, commercial, municipal, etc.)
- Identify active or historical goose hotspots
- Understand nesting habits, flock size, and seasonality
Step 2: Planning a Flight Strategy
- Determine ideal times for deployment (time of day, nesting season, migration, etc.);
- Schedule visible patrols with expert falconers and their birds;
- Design routes that maximize visual impact and cover geese's pathways.
Step 3: Active Deployment
- Experienced falconers fly trained eagles over problem areas with goose activity;
- The presence of eagles sends an unmistakable threat signal to geese;
- Frequent flyovers: daily initially and as needed thereafter.
Step 4: Follow-Up Monitoring and Conditioning
- Observe goose behavior after flyovers;
- Gradually reduce frequency once geese respond to pressure and relocate;
- Adjust strategy seasonally (spring nesting, molt migration or fall migration).
Step 5: Long-Term Site Deterrence
- Incorporate other passive measures (landscaping changes and/or pond modifications);
- Return seasonally to prevent re-nesting;
- Educate property owners on complementary or preventative measures (such as trained dogs).
Where is Eagle-Based Goose Control Most Effective
- Commercial
Golf courses, malls, office parks, or hotels with green spaces or rooftops; - Industrial
Warehouses, solar farms, rooftops, logistics hubs, storage facilities, or shipping yards; - Government
Municipal buildings, military bases, parks, public beaches, administrative buildings, or stormwater ponds; - Residential
Lakeside properties, gated communities with ponds and lawns.
Can Eagles be Used in Backyards or Other Properties With Small Green Spaces?
The general answer is "yes" but the cost may be prohibitive in a residential setting. In smaller spaces, dog patrols and landscape modifications are probably a more practical or more affordable option to get rid of geese.
Do Fake Eagles or Decoys Work for Goose Control?
The short answer is "NO".
Stationary decoys of any kind do not work effectively nor do they work for long. Geese are far too intelligent and quickly realize that there is no actual danger. They'll adjust and learn to ignore your efforts.
You might have some success if you were to move the decoy daily and in an unpredictable pattern (move to different spots at different times of the day).
Trained raptors such as eagles for Canada Goose control are far superior to any decoy.
Legal, Ethical and Environmental Considerations
Falconry is pest bird control as Mother Nature intended it to be. The goal is to have geese vacate the site voluntarily and without the loss of life.
- Birds are flown by professional handlers/falconers;
- Compliance with federal and provincial wildlife laws;
- Safe for bystanders, children, and pets;
- No traps, poisons, or hazardous deterrents used;
- Aligns with humane wildlife management principles;
Hawkeye Uses Eagles for Goose Control in the GTA
- Hawkeye Bird & Animal Control has 35+ years of expertise training and working with eagles and other raptors;
- Customized strategies for every property type;
- Serving all sectors: government, business, and private developments;
- Proven success in high-traffic and high-risk environments;
- Available year-round with peak services - emergency services are also available.
Contact Hawkeye Bird & Animal Control
Eagles are unmatched in intimidation and long-term goose deterrence and pairing trained eagle control with other control measures delivers the best results. If you are a property manager, city official, or business owner whose property is plagued by Canada geese, call Hawkeye today and request a free consultation for your goose management strategy. We're here to help!
