I guess I don't quite understand this guide's comment. I don't imagine that
a "sitting goose" would be much of a problem for an eagle to tackle - a Snow
Goose isn't that big. Maybe the guide meant that because of the numbers, no
individual goose would be in much danger. But the one that the eagle caught
would be in a world of hurt, so they all take to the air, to avoid being the
one. There's safety in numbers, but the prey species still has to avoid the
predators. Flocks of Snow Geese, or Dunlins, or schools of herring all need
to make the evasive maneuvers, or the group would just serve as a big
advertisement to predators to step up to the buffet.

Eric Kraig
Olympia, WA
mailto:kraige at oclc.org

>
> While we were up on the dike, a tour group from the Seattle
> Aquarium showed up. There was a guide with the group whose
> name I did not catch (If you are out there, my apologies),
> but I am sure is probably a well-know expert around here. While
> addressing the group he commented that the Snow Geese were
> probably not really in much danger from the Eagles, but they
> were just playing it safe.
>