Each winter, Kodiak Island serves as an important refuge for Emperor Geese, one of Alaska’s most iconic and culturally significant waterfowl species. Arriving in late August and remaining through April, these striking birds rely on the island’s rich coastal habitats, foraging on blue mussels, barnacles, marine invertebrates, algae, and newly emerging shoreline vegetation.
This winter, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game continued its long-term effort to better understand this population by conducting its sixth year of capturing and banding Emperor Geese along the Kodiak road system. This project was made possible through the work of a dedicated team of seven biologists and support from numerous local volunteers, including some from Ducks Unlimited.
Local volunteers play an important role in supporting monitoring efforts across the species’ range, contributing time and expertise to field operations whenever possible.
“One highlight of working so close to local communities is the opportunity to involve volunteers and children directly in the banding process,” said Tasha DiMarzio, a biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. “It’s always fun to watch kids hold their first goose and see firsthand the work our biologists do. When local residents get the chance to participate, they often develop a stronger connection to the birds in their own backyards—an appreciation that can inspire them to become citizen scientists and contribute to long-term conservation efforts.”
Using rocket nets, the crew safely captured more than 200 Emperor Geese. Of these, 175 birds received new bands, while 35 individuals already carried bands from previous years. Each goose was fitted with both a federal metal leg band and a bright, field-readable plastic band—tools that enable biologists, hunters, birders, and other community members to identify marked birds from a distance. The team also collected body measurements such as weight, tarsus length, and culmen length to assess the birds’ physical condition and compare Kodiak’s wintering population to others across the species’ range.
The information gathered contributes to a long-term project that has monitored Emperor Geese on Kodiak since 2019. These data help researchers estimate annual survival, understand winter distribution, document family group structure, and track how the species responds to changing environmental conditions.
Public participation plays an important role in this effort. ADF&G encourages waterfowl enthusiasts to report sightings of banded Emperor Geese whenever possible. Each resighting adds valuable information that strengthens conservation planning for this unique Arctic species and helps ensure healthy populations for future generations.
Media Contact
Molly Jarone
Regional Communications Coordinator
Western United States Region
Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing wetlands, grasslands and other waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has restored or protected more than 20 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science, DU’s projects benefit waterfowl, wildlife and people in all 50 states. Learn more at www.ducks.org.
