We’re pretty sure Bon Jovi wasn’t thinking about goose poop when he wrote Slippery When Wet, but it’s an apt description. Unlike most critters, geese could probably be harnessed as a weapon of war due to their droppings.
But let’s learn to identify their poop and look at all the ways it can cause a bad day.
What Does Goose Poop Look Like?
Because geese have a single orifice for both urine and feces (as is common in birds), their poop can take on a somewhat vague description. However, that’s not to say you can’t pick it out of a crowd.
Three Types of Poop
Before we can describe what poop looks like, we must first point out that geese have not one, not two, but THREE distinct types of poop.
Regular Poop
Chances are, this is the poop you’ll be dealing with. It consists of a whitish liquidy part made of urates, and a more solid portion of poop. This is similar to what you might see if a bird poops on your car window, but on a larger scale. It has little to no smell.
Cecal Poop
The ceca is a digestive organ where waste is fermented. A few times per day, this waste is excreted. Unlike regular poop, it’s distinctly brown, has no urates, and also has a different odor.
Broody Poop
This seasonal poop is a result of brooding. A nesting goose doesn’t want to soil her nest, so she’ll hold her poop and leave the nest a few times per day to defecate. The resulting poops are fairly massive and pungent.
Shape and Size
In general, geese produce tubular poop, although the precise size and shape varies greatly. Regular poop is smaller, but the urates create a bigger radius than the turd itself. Cecal poop is a bit larger, while broody poops are larger still.
But typically, goose poop is about 2-3 inches long and 1/2 inch in diameter.
Color and Consistency
Healthy poop will have various colors based on what the goose has eaten. For example, blueberries will result in a bluish-green dropping. The most common healthy colors are brown, gray, and green. However, the urates will be whitish and cecal poop is most commonly dark brown.
If the goose has been feeding on water-intense foods or drinking a lot, the stool will be more watery and may not retain its shape. Overall, however, the urates give goose poop a greasy consistency
What’s In It?
Goose poop can have a wide range of components, depending on what was eaten recently. You’re not likely to find discernable debris, but the coloration will often give some hints.
Smell
Regular goose droppings generally have little to no odor since they’re primarily composed of digested plant matter. However, cecal droppings can have a distinctly unpleasant smell. These dark, sludgy droppings are less common but notably more pungent than regular droppings.
Broody droppings may also have a stronger odor due to their larger size and concentration.
Location
Goose poop ends up anywhere there are geese, especially in areas like golf courses, public parks, baseball fields, large lawns, and lakeshores. Areas under common flight paths and migration routes can also experience temporary but heavy deposits as large flocks pass overhead.
They contaminate water sources, create slick conditions on sidewalks and grassy areas, and can soil buildings or vehicles. The waste tends to concentrate most heavily in areas where geese feed and rest, particularly near water sources and on maintained lawns.
Goose Poop vs Other Animal Droppings
Due to the consistency, urates, and larger size than most birds, goose poop is generally easy to identify.
| Animal | Size | Shape | Contents | Odor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goose | 2-3" long, 1/2" diameter | Tubular, may spread due to liquid urates | Grass and other plant matter, berries | Usually mild |
| Bat | 1/8" to 1/2" long | Tubular, segmented | Insect debris for insectivores, seeds for fruit bats, or dried blood for vampire bats | Pungent, musky |
| Chipmunk | 1/4" to 3/8" long | Cylindrical with tapered ends | Berries, seeds, plant matter | Mild, earthy smell |
| Coyote | 3-5" long, 0.75-1.5" diameter | Twisted rope w/ segments, tapered ends | Fur, bones, seeds, grass, nuts, fruits, berries | Variable, can be strong |
| Domestic Cat | 1" long, 1/2" diameter | Segmented | Less likely to contain food remnants | Pungent, distinct odor |
| Fox | 2-3" long, 1/2" diameter | Rope-like or twisted, segmented, tapered ends | Fur, bones, or other prey remnants | Slightly pungent |
| Mouse | 1/8" to 1/4" long | Cylindrical with tapered ends | Fruit, seeds, insects | Slight musky |
| Opossum | 1-2" long, 3/4" diameter | Elongated, tubular, slight curve | Fruits, insects, and other soft foods | Mild odor |
| Rabbit | Less than 1" | Round pellets | Plant matter | Mild odor |
| Raccoon | 2-3" long, 3/4" diameter | Tubular, segmented | Seeds, berries, garbage, or debris | Mild odor |
| Skunk | 1-2" long, 1/2" diameter | Tubular, segmented | Seeds, insect parts, fur, or feathers | Slight musky |
| Snake | 1-12" long, 0.4-1.6" diameter | Smooth, oblong, soft or runny | Fur, bones, feathers, or other prey remnants | Faint odor to pungent |
| Squirrel | 3/8" long, 1/8" diameter | Oblong pellets | May contain traces of wood or nuts | Mild, earthy smell |
Are Goose Droppings Dangerous?
In a word, yes. They make surfaces slick and muddy, but the risk of falling is only a tiny part of the issue.
Parasites
- Cryptosporidium – Most often contracted through contaminated water, this parasite causes cryptosporidiosis, a nasty condition that results in cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. It usually resolves itself, but there have been a few cases where it resulted in death.
- Cercarial Dermatitis – This can be caused by a number of microscopic parasites to which the victim has an allergic reaction. Often referred to as swimmer’s itch, the condition results in an uncomfortable rash that persists for several days after exposure.
- Toxoplasmosis – Caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, this disease is usually asymptomatic, although it can cause flu-like symptoms. Children and those with a compromised immune system may have severe symptoms. However, the disease is most dangerous during pregnancy, when it may cause miscarriage or birth defects.
Bacterial and Viral Diseases
- Avian Flu – While influenza isn’t as dangerous as it used to be, this particular variant is resistant to vaccines and may still pose a threat to people with a weakened immune system, such as children or the elderly.
- E. coli – This bacteria is generally harmless and occurs naturally in our intestines. However, some strains may result in various symptoms, such as bloody diarrhea, cramps, and vomiting. E. coli O157:H7 is especially dangerous for children and those with a compromised immune system, possibly becoming life-threatening.
- Salmonella – This common bacteria is often asymptomatic when contracted. However, cramps, diarrhea, and fever are potential symptoms. These usually resolve themselves in a few days, but may be more severe for those with a compromised immune system
Property Damage
These droppings can cause extensive damage. As with other birds, the poop’s acidity can damage paint and create stains. They can quickly turn lawns into mudslides. Water becomes contaminated and sidewalks impassable. If not cleared up quickly, the acids may result in costly damage to everything from pavement to gardens and lawns.
Beyond initial damage, repeated exposure can create long-term issues. Walkways and patios may develop permanent staining and surface degradation. The high nitrogen content can burn grass and create dead patches in lawns. In water features, the waste can clog filtration systems and create expensive maintenance issues.
The scale of damage often depends on the size of the goose population and how long the problem persists. A few geese might be manageable, but larger flocks can quickly overwhelm an area.
What to Do If You Find Goose Droppings
Goose poop should be handled with appropriate safety precautions.
- Cordon off the area. This will not only prevent exposure to disease but help prevent physical injuries.
- Gear up with gloves and washable shoes (or use disposable coverings for your shoes).
- Clean the area using appropriate methods like pressure washing or scrubbing.
- Invest in deterrents to get the geese off of your property without any direct encounters and discourage them from returning. See: How to Get Rid of Geese
- Once the geese have left, you may need to treat water sources if they’ve been affected.
- Don’t be afraid to hire a professional to remove the geese if you’re having trouble. Remember, geese are protected by Federal law, so simply killing them isn’t an option.
Morgan is a certified entomologist and pest control consultant and a member of the National Pest Management Association.
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