Video: Staten Island's Billoli family hosts Canada goose in Midland Beach yard

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- ?A mild-mannered Canada goose, apparently separated from its flock, has taken up residence inside the Billoli family?s fenced-in yard on Baden Place in Midland Beach. The goose enjoys overnight accommodations on a blanket in the garage, and cools off in a makeshift pond.

The goose, its gender yet to be determined, was discovered on Sunday, behind the shed in the back yard of Brenda Schnur, the Billolis? daughter.

?Her new dog found it and started barking at it,? explained Pete Billoli, who has lived across the street for 41 years. ?So I picked it up and carried it across the street. I kinda liked it.?

Billoli set the goose down in his own yard.

?I think he kinda likes it out here ?he?s eating grass and Cheerios.?

The goose is also taking dips in a rectangular plastic storage container that Billoli filled with water. ?Yesterday, he went right in and took a bath and everything,? he said. ?He?s walking around the yard like he lives here.?

The goose was not limping, did not appear to be physically injured, and has ruffled its feathers and extended its wings, said Billoli.

?At night, I walked him into the garage and left him there overnight,? for safety reasons, Billoli added.

?This is his four-star hotel room,? said his wife, Michele, pointing to the garage?s open door. ?And I seem to be the one cleaning up the accommodations.

?This place is like the underground railroad for animals,? she added. ?We?ve never had a paid-for animal ever. Brenda?s brought home everything you could imagine ? she?s the magnet, and we get the animals,? including turtles, cats, and a raccoon.

The Billoilis now tend a male cockatiel, Baretta, that they adopted three years ago.

On Monday morning, their goose guest ?came out of the hotel and stretched his wings. I thought he?d take off, but he didn?t,? said Mrs. Billoli.

?If it was up to my husband, I?d be raising these things. I have a feeling this thing is gonna be with me for life.?

About Canada geese? ?
While the majority of Canada geese still breed across northern Canada and Alaska, their range has expanded dramatically over the past century. ?
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Characteristics? ?
They are currently found breeding in every state and province of North America. ?
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Canada geese are monogamous, and often stay together for life. Pairs may return time and again to the same nest each spring. While the female is on the nest, head lowered to avoid detection, the male stands diligently nearby, keeping watch over her, and confronting any perceived threat. ?
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Upon hatching, the goslings are led by both parents to a brooding ground, near the safety of open water. The downy yellowish goslings are able to walk, swim, and find their own food within 24 hours of hatching. They remain with the parents for up to an entire year.

Source: http://www.silive.com/eastshore/index.ssf/2013/08/canadian_goose_adopt_a_staten.html

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