Threatened Goose and her Goslings

I stumbled upon a rather large flock of Branta canadensis or Canadian Geese behind the North Carolina State Employee Credit Union off of Shipyard Boulevard in Wilmington, North Carolina. Pictured are two goslings an either protective and highly threatened goose or gander with head low, bent, hissing and even at times biting at other members of the flock (and even at me!) in order to protect their young. During the time I spent around the flock, there was an apparent social and familial hierarchy within the flock with the fledglings as a clear priority. The ground nest of this family was hidden and located very close to the water which serves as a hideaway from predators and as a great food source for the omnivorous birds who enjoy chomping on a large variety of terrestrial and aquatic grasses as well as insects. It is common to see Canadian geese in Southeastern North Carolina particularly in the colder months, and seeing this flock made me wonder if they will emigrate to a more northern territory this summer? Also, since the goslings can stay with their parents up to a year it made me wonder will they be making the migration in a couple of months as well? Judging from the photo, the goslings are beginning to molt their downy chick feathers for a few flight feathers. What do you think?

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