Vegetation preferences of captive Canada geese at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska

摘要

Bird-aircraft strikes represent a serious safety and economic problem in the United States. Canada geese (Branta canadensis) are frequently attracted to airfields because of the availability of preferred forage and large open areas. At Elmendorf AirForce Base, Alaska, preferences of captive, wild-caught, lesser Canada geese (B. c. parvipes) for alternative vegetation types not normally planted at this airfield were determined. Canada goose preferences for Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), bluejoint reedgrass (Calamagrostis canadensis), beach wildrye (Elymus mollis), Bering hairgrass (Deschampsia beringensis), lupine (Lupinus nootkatensis), and flightline turf (a mix of smooth brome [Bromus sp.], dock [Rumex acerosella], and red fescue [Festucarubra]) were compared. Geese preferred flightline turf over Kentucky bluegrass. Bering hairgrass was marginally less preferred than Kentucky bluegrass. Kentucky bluegrass was preferred over lupine, bluejoint reedgrass, and beach wildrye. Vegetation management was discussed as an alternative goose control technique. Further evaluation of the least preferred vegetation types should be conducted in large flight pen and field plot studies.