As I’ve listened to the dozens and sometimes hundreds of Canada Geese that come to visit our pastures each winter, I haven’t been able to shake the notion that their vocalizations remind me of chimpanzees. The drama!
Now I know why.
I would have never guessed so many, but researchers have identified about 13 different calls from Canada Geese, which vary from loud greeting/alarm calls to soft sounds from feeding geese.
Chimps have specific calls to signify food and danger, and each chimp has a distinctive hoot that distinguishes it from the others. Chimps too can have loud greeting/alarm calls and can have soft sounds while feeding.
Goes to show that no matter the genus or species, vocal communication can convey a variety of emotions and intentions and often serves to affect the behavior of those that hear what’s being said.
♥
Morning Bray Farm 
January 12, 2011 at 4:40 am
Love these photos, Justina!
It’s amazing to know that no matter the genus or species, animal’s vocal communication can express a variety of emotions and intentions!
I also can apprehend the variety of communications of Flora when she wants to go out to the garden, when she begs for a piece of bread (she loves bread), or when she barks to a newcomer or to a dog, rabits, etc…
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January 12, 2011 at 4:55 am
My dogs speak a language that my husband does not understand without me here as interpreter.
One night I went upstairs to read/sleep. Husband remained in his chair reading. Near him, Angus barked his I gotta go out bark. Repeatedly.
Angus came upstairs and shat upon the bedroom floor. I was up like a shot and cleaned up while calling, “Did you hear him barking? …because he just…”
Husband called back, “No, I didn’t even…”
Just another example that proves your conclusion: certain sounds mean certain things.
But there must be a receiver who understands the sounds. And reacts.
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January 12, 2011 at 5:30 am
But which is louder? A hundred Canada Geese or one Bernard?
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January 12, 2011 at 5:55 am
Yet another indication that we do not stand alone, but are part of the continuum of creatures on our planet…….
🙂
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January 12, 2011 at 6:57 am
I have never been around chimps to compare, but I do believe you!
I can tell the difference between barks with the Schnauzer boys. There’s one for “come and cover me up”, another for ”
Danger! A dog being walked!”, and “Let me OUT!! There’s a squirrel/rabbit at the bird feeder!”, and lastly from the old man a single “woof” that means lift me up/down from where I am. (He’s 15 plus years old and entitled.)
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January 12, 2011 at 11:47 am
Geese are one of the saddest sounds we hear in the fall as they are leaving. On the other hand we rejoice at their call in the spring.
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January 12, 2011 at 12:20 pm
Have they studied guineas and their sounds? Imagine 35 guineas running around your farm with all their loud vocal songs! I can’t imagine not hearing them. How I would miss them.
I love hearing the Canada geese when they land in the pond or as they get ready to leave the pond. It is a different sound they make.
The pictures are great.
Have a great day.
Pam
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January 12, 2011 at 2:05 pm
Hey, watch it!
Actually, they can, admittedly, make quite a racket, but I love to hear them flying over the house on their way somewhere. I also like the soft muttering they do when they’re grazing in a grassy field. You’ve got to admit, they’re pretty stunning creatures, our lovely Canada Goose. Excellent capture.
BTW, I spotted a very stately looking Eagle perched in a tree near my home this morning. I always consider an Eagle sighting a good omen.
Blessings,
Carolynn
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January 12, 2011 at 2:20 pm
Whew, when I saw the word chimpanzee I was almost afraid that you had one or wanted one! There is something about monkeys that terrify me ( right up there with turkeys)!
There are lots of Canadian Geese around here and you can tell the differance of their honks wether it just be talking or an alarm sound.
Please give the the boys a hug from me.
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January 12, 2011 at 2:40 pm
This is so interesting to read!
I know geese doing security jobs, they are very observant an call loud in case of something gets their attention.
And I saw chimpanzees in the zoo reacting of a schoolclass of loud and bold children. The children made faces to the apes and the apes throw “something” in the crowd of kids who stopped at once beeing so cool.
Liebe Grüße,
Pia
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January 12, 2011 at 9:09 pm
I love the sound of geese on the wing. You sure got some nice photos of them.
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January 13, 2011 at 4:40 pm
How did I miss this post??
I used to hunt when I was a young girl (back when the earth was cooling, say my kids).
I remember being under thousands of geese lifting off at one time. The roar was deafening. I think they were all saying the same thing—“fly away, hunters!!!!”
How very cool that they have 13 different vocalizations. I LOVE learning new stuff. Thanks! 🙂
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