LENSINK R (1998) Does the Domestic Goose Anser anser forma domesticus live its own life in The Netherlands?. LIMOSA 71 (2): 49-56.

In most avifaunistical publications, hardly any attention is paid to status, distribution and numbers of the Domestic Greylag Goose. Based on frequent counts of waterfowl during the non-breeding season, the number of Domestic Geese in The Netherlands appears to have increased since the seventies (Fig. 2). During a largescale waterfowl count in October 1993, more than 3000 birds were recorded. The total number in autumn 1993 was estimated at 3500-9500, part of which inhabit villages and cities. Most of these geese are resident. Their distribution (Fig. 1) is a reflection of the habitat available and releases/escapes in former years.
      In two census areas (total 750 ha), the number ofbreeding Domestic Geese and Greylag Geese has increased in the last five years (Fig. 4). Clutches of Domestic Geese were larger, with a larger variance. Egg width and the variance in egg length and egg width of Domestic Geese were larger than in Greylag Geese. Young of Domestic Geese hatched about a week later than those of the Greylag Geese (Tab. 1, Fig.5). Young of both geese hatched earlier in 1995 (mild winter) than in 1996 (severe winter). Breeding success of the Domestic Goose is somewhat smaller than that of Greylags. In both geese, breeding success was high in 1995 (flooding, little predation by Faxes) and low in 1996 (drought, heavy nest predation). The number of young at the time of hatching was about the same in the two geese (Fig. 6), but the variance in the number of young was larger in Domestic Geese. Variance in breeding parameters of Domestic Geese is discussed in relation to the process of domestication and the effect of natural factors such as winter severity and inundation of river floodplains.
      Domestic Geese are often excluded from bird surveys. However, they deserve more serious attention since they live and reproduce freely in the fIeld and have their specific relationships with other plant and animal species.

[free pdf] [dutch summary]