Warm weather has brought the return of a familiar face to Illinois State University’s campus.
Canada geese are seen around the Bloomington-Normal area, but they have not always been so common in Illinois.
Large Canada geese were thought to have gone extinct in Illinois in the early 1900’s. However, by the 1960’s, the geese were re-introduced as a population.
The quad at Illinois State University provides good conditions for geese to settle on.
“They like to eat fresh grass, and by cutting lawns all of the time, we supply them with their preferred food source,” Pirmin Nietlisbach said. “These conditions have allowed the Canada Geese to adapt to city life in Normal.”
However, humans have not been as eager to adapt to the geese.
“I have seen people get hissed at.” Mackenzie Bernes said. “I’ve also seen people actively avoid aras and go in different doors because they’re scared of the geese.”
Canadian geese are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This protects the geese from being hunted and having their nests disturbed.
Warning signs about nesting areas are displayed around campus in the spring, warning students to go around or avoid the area all together.