I saw these geese in Slovenia. Geese are large, heavily built waterfowl, but because they specialize in grazing, they live more on land than other aquatic birds. They can live up to 30 years and couples stay together a lifetime. They are very watchful and can deal severe blows with their wings. In case of danger, they will make loud noises. For this reason, they were kept as watch-birds. The nests are coated by the females with down that they pluck from their own chests. The chickens leave the nest soon after hatching and search for their own food, although the parents still keep them warm and safe. Geese migrate in a family or in large troops. They also live in groups in their wintering area. By flying in V-formation or in undulating lines, the birds have a greater flying capacity. The following geese use the upward pression caused by the wing stroke of their predecessor. In that way they can reach speeds of 46 km per hour. While flying they talk to each other, the geese at the rear end encourage the front ones to keep up their speed.