If you come across an injured goose with a drooping or dragging wing, it likely has a broken wing and needs help quickly. A broken wing leaves a goose vulnerable to predators and unable to migrate or feed itself properly.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: The best way to help an injured goose with a broken wing is to safely contain it and contact a wildlife rehabilitator for professional care advice and possible transport to a wildlife care facility.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about what to do if you find a goose with an injured or broken wing to give it the best chance of survival and recovery.
Identifying a Broken Wing in Geese
Signs of a Broken Wing
There are several clear signs that a goose has a broken wing that should prompt immediate action. The most obvious sign is that one of the wings will be drooping or dragging on the ground rather than folded neatly against the body. The goose may also resist or be unable to fly.
You may see the bones in the wing move unnaturally or appear bent if the break is significant.
Other signs of a broken wing include swelling around the break, bleeding or exposed tissue, and the goose vocalizing in pain if pressure is put on the wing. A goose with a broken wing will often isolate itself from the flock and have trouble accessing food and water sources.
Causes of Broken Wings in Geese
There are a few common causes of broken wings in geese. Since geese cannot fly away quickly due to their size and wingspan, defensive measures include biting and hitting aggressors with their wings. This can lead to breaks if the bones connect with hard objects.
Another cause is tumbling from heights like rooftops, trees, or ledges. Their hollow bones are fragile and often snap on hard impact. Getting wings caught in fences, netting, twine, plastic, or other debris can also lead to injuries and breaks as they attempt to struggle loose.
Lastly, slashes from predators like dogs or coyotes can fracture bones. Vehicular collisions as geese cross roads and collisions with windows, walls, or buildings also frequently result in broken bones.
First Steps for Helping an Injured Goose
Safely Containing the Goose
If you come across an injured goose, the first step is to safely contain it without causing further harm. Geese can become aggressive when frightened or in pain, so use caution. If possible, guide the goose into a pet carrier, dog crate or other secure enclosure.
Otherwise, carefully gather the goose in a towel or blanket. Always support the body and avoid excess struggling that could worsen injuries. Keep children and pets at a distance, as geese may bite or hit out with their wings when distressed.
Avoid Worsening Injuries
When handling an injured goose, be very gentle and avoid movements that could exacerbate wounds. Do not try to splint legs or wings yourself, as improper treatment could damage the bird further. Also refrain from giving the goose food or water, as this could cause issues if surgery is needed.
The key is stabilizing the goose until expert help arrives. Monitor the bird for worsening conditions like bleeding or seizures, and keep it in a warm, quiet space. Speak softly and avoid direct eye contact to help keep the goose calm.
Contact a Wildlife Rehabilitator
The next urgent step is contacting a wildlife rehabilitator or avian vet. They have the knowledge and resources to properly assess injuries, provide medical care, and arrange rehabilitation. Be prepared to describe the goose’s condition and how you contained it.
Many rehabilitation centers have websites or hotlines for assistance. Transporting the goose yourself risks further injury, so ask if the rehabilitator can arrange pickup or meet you. Timeliness is key, as the longer an animal goes without treatment, the lower its chances of survival.
With quick action and expert help, the injured goose will have the best opportunity to eventually return to the wild healthy and strong.
Helping an injured goose in distress can be daunting, but taking a few key steps makes a huge difference. Remaining calm, safely containing the bird, avoiding exacerbating wounds, and promptly contacting wildlife experts enables the goose to receive proper treatment.
With some compassion and care from good samaritans, geese can go on to live their lives fully on the wing once more.
Proper Care While Awaiting Transport
Provide Food and Water
If you find an injured goose with a broken wing, it is crucial to provide food and water while awaiting transport to a wildlife rehabilitator. Here are some tips for proper care:
- Offer fresh greens like lettuce, kale, spinach or parsley. Chop into small pieces for easy eating. Grapes and berries can also be offered in moderation.
- Provide a shallow dish of fresh, clean water. Change regularly to keep it clean.
- Do not give the goose bread, crackers, popcorn or other “people food.” This can cause digestive upset and harm the goose.
- Wash hands before and after handling food to prevent spread of bacteria.
- Keep food and water within easy reach of the goose so it does not have to move around much and risk further injury.
Proper hydration and nutrition will give the injured goose the best chance for recovery while waiting for transport to a wildlife rehabilitator. According to the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, most rehabilitation facilities recommend providing greens, seeds and fresh water until the goose can be properly assessed and treated.
Keep the Goose Warm and Safe
In addition to food and water, an injured goose needs a warm, safe place to rest while waiting for transport:
- Place the goose in a ventilated cardboard box or pet carrier lined with clean towels or t-shirts. This will prevent drafts and keep the goose warm.
- Put the box in a quiet, low-traffic area away from dogs, cats, loud noises, children or anything that could startle the goose.
- Check on the goose regularly but minimize direct handling to prevent stress. Do not try to splint the broken wing yourself.
- Call wildlife rehabilitators right away. Many have volunteers who can transport injured geese. Offer to meet them somewhere for a safe hand-off.
- Once transported, the goose will receive proper veterinary assessment, wing splinting and pain management.
Quick, gentle action is key for the best outcome when dealing with an injured goose. Providing a quiet space to rest with easy access to greens and water allows the goose to stabilize until experienced help arrives.
With some luck and proper rehabilitation, the goose may be able to make a full recovery and return to the wild.
Rehabilitation Process for a Goose’s Broken Wing
Veterinary Assessment and Treatment
If you find a goose with an injured wing, the first step is to carefully contain it and transport the bird to a wildlife rehabilitation center or avian veterinarian for assessment and treatment (1). The vet will examine the wing to determine the location and severity of the injury.
They may take X-rays to check for fractures. Treatment depends on the type of injury, but may involve setting broken bones, bandaging, and administering antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication.
Recovery Timeline and Process
Once initial treatment is complete, the long process of rehabilitation begins. For wing fractures, the recovery timeline is typically 6-8 weeks (2). During this period, the goose must be housed in a spacious enclosure and provided a nutritious diet and clean water.
Careful wing exercises are crucial to rebuild muscle strength and maintain flexibility. As the wing heals, short sessions of flying practice are introduced. If all goes well, the capable team of veterinary staff and wildlife rehabilitators will finally get to witness the goose spread its wings and successfully take flight back to freedom.
The rate of full rehabilitation for geese with wing injuries is estimated around 75-80% (3). With proper assessment and treatment, ample recovery time, and some amazing human help, the prognosis for a full return to the wild is good.
Returning a Rehabilitated Goose to the Wild
Ensuring the Goose is Fully Healed
Before releasing a rehabilitated goose back into the wild, it is crucial to ensure the bird has made a full recovery from its injuries (The Humane Society). The rehabilitation process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple months depending on the severity of the original injury.
According to wildlife rehabilitators, some signs that indicate a goose is ready for release include:
- Full range of motion in the affected wing
- Ability to fly continuously for up to 5 minutes
- Healthy body weight and waterproof feathers
- Displaying normal goose behaviors like preening, foraging, and interacting with other geese
It is best to observe the goose in a flight cage or large enclosed area prior to release to evaluate flight ability and endurance. If the bird struggles or seems unable to gain altitude, more rehabilitation time may be needed.
Releasing a goose prematurely often leads to the animal struggling in the wild and potentially re-injuring itself.
Releasing at the Original Location
When the time comes to release a rehabilitated goose, best practices dictate returning it to the general location where it was originally found, provided the area is deemed safe (Audubon). As social creatures, geese form lifelong bonds with flocks in their native habitats.
Dropping a lone goose into a random body of water can cause disorientation and stress. Before release, contact state wildlife agencies to identify recent goose sightings near the discovery area.
When capturing an injured goose initially, try to photograph landscape markers to help pinpoint the original site later on. Document geographical markers, manmade structures, or unique vegetation that could jog the memory.
Having release coordinates handy gives the recovering goose its best chance at successfully reuniting with its flock. Alternatively, connect with birding groups or nature centers close to the discovery vicinity that may be tracking local goose populations around the anticipated release date.
This helps select an ideal release waterway frequented by the species.
Conclusion
Discovering an injured goose with a broken wing can be distressing, but there are steps you can take to help it have the best chance of survival. The most vital need is contacting a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for assessment, transport, professional treatment, and appropriate release timing.
With quick action by good Samaritans and proper rehab, many geese can fully recover from a broken wing and resume their migration and wildlife behaviors.
If we respect wildlife and make an effort to help injured animals when possible, we can coexist happily with the beautiful geese in our environments.
