As the days become warmer and longer this month when summer begins, more folks are attracted to the Naperville Riverwalk, a natural treasure in the heart of downtown. The linear park is a destination with plenty of wildlife to watch, just steps from the Century Walk tour of outdoor art, featuring sculptures, mosaics, murals that depict the history of the city.
Perhaps one of these days, a prominent sculpture along the Riverwalk will feature ducks and geese sitting in front of a plaque that says, “Please don’t feed us bread crumbs. We want to fly.”
Many well-meaning families continue to think it’s a good idea to feed ducks and geese bread crumbs. Stamped messages along the concrete walkway advise, “Do Not Feed Wildlife,” but for some reason folks must fail to consider that the feathery creatures are wildlife.
The advisory is to keep both the wildlife and humankind safe. Ducks and geese are capable of finding food in nature, even for their young. Human assistance is not necessary. In fact, feeding ducks, geese and other wildlife stale bread and human snacks such as corn chips actually is harmful to their good health.
Furthermore, feeding wildlife can make the wildlife more aggressive toward humans. Have you ever been chased and nipped by a goose? Nips sting and bruise! That’s why a wild goose chase is not funny!
What’s more, not feeding the ducks and geese is among one of the things humans can do to protect the environment that doesn’t cost money. It’s all about a little word of mouth education.
Sources of natural food and water are abundant at the Riverwalk, neighborhood parks and forest preserves. Wild food plants include pond weed, clover, and grasses. Local crops provide alfalfa, corn, millet, rye, barley, oats, and wheat. Waterfowl also eat insects, snails and tadpoles in the local streams and rivers.
Watching ducks and geese is an enjoyable pastime while strolling the Riverwalk or waterway. Plus, the clear honking call of Canada geese as they prepare for take off from the DuPage River and when they fly overhead in their V-shaped formation is distinctively entertaining. Feeding wildlife, however, is not wise.
Goose Attack! Beware!
If only we’d had our video camera the other day while watching a family standing along the low-flow walkway near the Dick Tracy sculpture by the covered bridge. Geese can be aggressive. As a mother and a couple youngsters were tossing bread crumbs to ducks and geese swimming in the DuPage River, one large goose zeroed in on the group, honked and flew onto the walk, chasing them up the stairs. The kids negotiated the steps backward, quite alarmed without taking their eyes off the goose.
Not feeding ducks and geese bread crumbs is unwelcomed news to many adults. Some folks are unaware of the harm feeding wildlife can create. In fact, many people have been downright sassy when other folks have tried to educate them about the hazards of feeding wildlife.
That said, if you insist on feeding the ducks, collect insects or visit a bird feed store such as Dog Patch Pet & Feed to purchase a scientifically formulated seed mix. Feed sparingly.
Always venture to the Riverwalk or any pond with the knowledge that feeding waterfowl bread crumbs is the worst food you can feed them.
Still, no matter what the food, ducks and geese are healthier when they are not fed by human hand-outs.
Many fish and wildlife websites offer suggestions that alert the public about feeding waterfowl. Simply search online for “feed bread crumbs to ducks” to find many stories about the harm it can do to the environment.
Some folks ignore the consequences because of their personal pleasure factor to engage with nature. Some don’t consider that they are among dozens of other families that are enjoying the same thing without considering the consequences to the wildlife and the environment. Imagine how you’d feel if you ate half a loaf of stale white bread.
Please don’t feed the geese!
- Human food is not good for the geese because it lacks proper nutritional value.
- Over a period of time, feeding attracts more geese than the area can support naturally.
- Geese in high concentrations are more likely to get diseases and parasites.
- Geese droppings harbor parasites that can cause human health problems.
- Goose droppings increase algae growth that, in turn, results in fish kills. (Imagine goose droppings in Centennial Beach.)
- Goose droppings are unsanitary, unsightly, and contain parasites irritating to humans. (Again, imagine goose droppings in Centennial Beach.)
- Too many geese in one area may force the municipality or park district to have them killed.
- Goose-management and goose-dropping clean up costs taxpayers money.
- Geese can become aggressive, especially when they’re nesting or with their young. Watch out for chasing, pinching, nipping and hissing.
