Pilgrim Goose

Looks how to spot one

Feathers

Pilgrim geese have a trim head with a slightly flattened crown, a neck of average length and thickness, and a full, plump body with a smooth, keel-less breast. They have two rounded fatty lobes on the abdomen. The breed is auto-sexing, meaning males and females are different colours from hatching.14

Personality what they are like

Pilgrim geese are renowned for their sweet, docile and friendly nature. They are calm, personable and quiet, making them less aggressive than many other goose breeds. They are curious and have a strong sense of awareness, often acting as excellent sentinels by alerting owners to new activity. During breeding season, ganders may become protective of their nests and young, hissing or honking if approached.546

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Pilgrim geese need space to roam and graze. They are strong foragers and do well in pastures, orchards or yards where they can move about freely. They also benefit from access to water for swimming and bathing.51

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Pilgrim geese are relatively low-maintenance. They need clean water for drinking and bathing, and their enclosure should be secure from predators. During moulting, they may need extra protection. Regular health checks and a balanced diet help keep them in good condition.14

Home where they are happiest

Pilgrim geese require a safe, predator-proof enclosure with shelter from extreme weather. They need access to fresh water for drinking and bathing, and plenty of space to graze. A secure pond or kiddie pool is ideal. They are hardy and adapt well to various climates.15

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Pilgrim geese are strong foragers. Their diet consists mainly of plant material such as grass, dandelions and weeds. They also eat larvae, pupae, aquatic animals, seeds, small fish, snails and crabs. Supplementary poultry feed can be provided, especially during winter or for breeding birds.5

Company who they like around

Pilgrim geese are social and do best in pairs or small flocks. They are excellent parents and often raise their own young. Ganders can be mated with three to five geese. They are generally peaceful with other poultry but may become protective during breeding season. They are not typically aggressive toward humans if handled gently from a young age.15

The story where it all began

The Pilgrim goose is a relatively modern breed, developed in the United States during the 1930s by Oscar Grow, a leading waterfowl authority. Grow claimed he created the breed in Iowa, and his wife named it 'Pilgrim' in memory of their family's relocation to Missouri during the Great Depression. The breed was first documented under that name in 1935 and was admitted to the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection in 1939. Despite stories linking it to early American colonists, the Pilgrim is likely a 20th-century creation. It is descended from the Greylag goose and may share ancestry with the West of England goose, another auto-sexing breed. In Australia, the breed is known as the Australian Settler goose, reflecting its reconstruction from local stock. The Pilgrim is prized for its auto-sexing trait, which allows easy identification of males and females by colour from hatching.1237

Recognised by the official bits

American Poultry Association

Admitted to the Standard of Perfection in 19391