A goose is a large waterbird with a long neck, webbed feet, and a honking call. Geese are related to ducks and swans but are bigger than most ducks and smaller than swans. They're famous for flying in V-shaped formations during migration, taking turns leading so no single bird gets too tired from pushing through the air.

Wild geese are surprisingly smart and loyal. They mate for life, and if one partner gets injured, the other will often stay behind to protect it. People have domesticated geese for thousands of years, raising them for meat, eggs, and their soft down feathers used in pillows and jackets.

The plural of goose is geese. A male goose is called a gander.

Geese have a reputation for being surprisingly aggressive when protecting their territory or young. They'll hiss, spread their wings wide, and even chase people much larger than themselves. If you've ever been chased by an angry goose honking and flapping at you, you know they're braver than they look.