Having spent a weekend away this weekend by the water, I was left with more questions than answers. One specific question having been surrounded by them all weekend, is why are Geese so noisy?
It turns out Geese get loud for a few very normal (and very goose-like) reasons:
1. They’re talking to each other 🗣️
Geese are highly social birds. Honking is basically their group chat—used to keep the flock together, especially when flying or moving around.
2. They’re being territorial 🚫
If you’re near a nesting area (common in spring), geese can get very vocal to warn you off. Loud honking = “you’re too close.”
3. Mating and nesting season 🌱
During breeding season (typically spring in the UK), everything gets noisier. They’re pairing up, defending mates, and protecting eggs.
4. Alarm calls ⚠️
If they sense danger—dogs, people, or even something unusual—they’ll honk loudly to alert the whole flock.
5. Just excitement or movement ✈️
When taking off, landing, or changing direction in a group, they honk to coordinate—like shouting instructions mid-flight.
