Behaviors: Digging in the Mud

Anyone who owns waterfowl likely knows about their hobby of digging. As to why geese do it I am not completely certain but my assumption is that they are doing it for two reasons. One of those reasons is because it is simply fun to do so. Geese often do things that seem quite enjoyable to them but also offers them food. Such as pecking at tree bark or digging up grass so that they can get the roots.

So while they are digging a hole that might eventually hold some water which is very practical in itself they may also be finding things. The likeliest thing that they are finding are bugs. 

If where they are digging is very moist such as around a pool or around their water bucket they can make pretty sizable holes. If they see a puddle of water they are often attracted to it to dig it even larger. They really enjoy getting mud all over themselves and destroying the ground! 

They also seem rather persistent in digging holes along the edges of buildings. On the inside it makes sense because they want to get out of the building as geese do not enjoy being trapped in a building but they have dug along the outside of the building. Perhaps they want to get in? Sometimes their favorite nesting place is taken from them. But I believe that is not always the case and they still dig alongside the outside part of the building even if they have access to their nesting spot. Maybe they know that I do not want them to dig there. I suppose if once they start digging somewhere they like to continue their work there. 

As aforementioned, I am not certain about why they dig. Usually it seems like it is simply for enjoyment.

​My geese since they are in the woods will dig in the leaf litter and eat plenty of things, usually the leaf litter, but perhaps other things are being eaten by them? But while working for that food they are certainly enjoying it!