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Goose vs. Gander: Know the Difference

Shumaila Saeed
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Goose refers to a female waterfowl, while gander is a male goose.
Goose vs. Gander

Key Differences

Goose and Gander both refer to birds in the Anatidae family, with goose denoting the female and gander the male. These birds are known for their large bodies and long necks.
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In behavior, geese (females) are often responsible for nest building and egg incubation, whereas ganders (males) are typically more involved in territorial defense.
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The vocalizations of a goose and a gander can be distinct, with geese often having a variety of honking sounds, and ganders emitting deeper, more aggressive honks.
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Geese and ganders show differences in size and plumage; generally, ganders are slightly larger and may have more vibrant neck and head markings than geese.
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When used metaphorically, goose can imply a silly or foolish person, while gander rarely carries such connotations and is less frequently used in idiomatic expressions.
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Comparison Chart

Gender

Female
Male
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Role in Nesting

Egg laying and incubation
Territorial defense
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Vocalization

Variety of honks
Deeper, more aggressive honks
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Size and Plumage

Slightly smaller, less vibrant markings
Larger, more vibrant neck markings
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Idiomatic Usage

Used to denote foolishness
Rarely used metaphorically
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Goose and Gander Definitions

Goose

Domestic bird
The farmer's goose laid an egg.
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Gander

Protective behavior
The gander honked loudly at the threat.
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Goose

Female waterfowl
A goose was nesting by the lake.
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Gander

Male goose
The gander guarded the nest.
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Goose

Any of various wild or domesticated waterbirds of the family Anatidae, and especially of the genera Anser, Branta, and Chen, characteristically having a shorter neck than that of a swan and a shorter, more pointed bill than that of a duck.
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Gander

Leading a group
The gander led his flock across the field.
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Goose

The female of such a bird.
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Gander

Symbol of vigilance
As a gander watches its surroundings, so should we.
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Goose

The flesh of such a bird used as food.
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Gander

Taking a look
Take a gander at this book.
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Goose

(Informal) A silly person.
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Gander

A male goose.
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Goose

Pl. goos·es A tailor's pressing iron with a long curved handle.
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Gander

(Informal) A look or glance
"Everyone turns and takes a gander at the yokels" (Garrison Keillor).
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Goose

(Slang) A poke, prod, or pinch between or on the buttocks.
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Gander

(Informal) A simpleton; a ninny.
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Goose

To poke, prod, or pinch (a person) between or on the buttocks.
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Gander

A male goose.
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Goose

To move to action; spur
Goosed the governor to sign the tax bill.
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Gander

A fool, simpleton.
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Goose

To give a spurt of fuel to (a car, for example); cause to accelerate quickly
"The pilot goosed his craft, powering away" (Nicholas Proffitt).
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Gander

A glance, look.
Have a gander at what he’s written.
I took a gander and she seemed so familiar.
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Goose

Any of various grazing waterfowl of the family Anatidae, which have feathers and webbed feet and are capable of flying, swimming, and walking on land, and which are bigger than ducks.
There is a flock of geese on the pond.
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Gander

(US) A man living apart from his wife.
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Goose

A female goose (sense 1).
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Gander

Ramble, wander
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Goose

The flesh of the goose used as food.
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Gander

The male of any species of goose.
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Goose

A silly person.
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Gander

Mature male goose
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Goose

(archaic) A tailor's iron, heated in live coals or embers, used to press fabrics.
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Goose

A young woman or girlfriend.
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Goose

An old English board game in which players moved counters along a board, earning a double move when they reached the picture of a goose.
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Goose

To sharply poke or pinch the buttocks of (a person).
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Goose

(transitive) To stimulate; to spur.
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Goose

To gently accelerate (an automobile or machine), or give repeated small taps on the accelerator.
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Goose

(UK slang) Of private-hire taxi drivers, to pick up a passenger who has not booked a cab. This is unauthorised under UK licensing conditions.
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Goose

To hiss (a performer) off the stage.
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Goose

Any large web-footen bird of the subfamily Anserinæ, and belonging to Anser, Branta, Chen, and several allied genera. See Anseres.
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Goose

Any large bird of other related families, resembling the common goose.
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Goose

A tailor's smoothing iron, so called from its handle, which resembles the neck of a goose.
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Goose

A silly creature; a simpleton.
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Goose

A game played with counters on a board divided into compartments, in some of which a goose was depicted.
The pictures placed for ornament and use,The twelve good rules, the royal game of goose.
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Goose

Web-footed long-necked typically gregarious migratory aquatic birds usually larger and less aquatic than ducks
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Goose

A man who is a stupid incompetent fool
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Goose

Flesh of a goose (domestic or wild)
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Goose

Silly person
Don't be such a goose.
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Goose

Hissing warning
The goose hissed at the intruder.
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Goose

Pinching or prodding
He gave a playful goose to his friend.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries

What do geese eat?

Geese are mainly herbivores, eating grasses, seeds, and grains.
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Can geese fly?

Yes, geese are capable of long migratory flights.
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Are ganders larger than geese?

Typically, ganders are slightly larger and have more vibrant markings.
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How long do geese live?

Geese can live up to 20-25 years in the wild.
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Do ganders have different vocalizations than geese?

Yes, ganders typically have deeper and more aggressive honks.
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What is a gander?

A gander is a male goose.
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Do ganders participate in raising young?

Ganders are primarily involved in protecting the territory and the young.
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Can ganders be aggressive?

Ganders can be quite protective and aggressive, especially during breeding season.
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What's the difference in plumage between geese and ganders?

Ganders often have more pronounced and vibrant markings, especially around the neck.
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What is a goose?

A goose is a female waterfowl known for its long neck and large body.
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Are geese good swimmers?

Yes, geese are excellent swimmers.
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How do ganders defend their territory?

Ganders use aggressive postures, loud honks, and physical confrontations.
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Are geese monogamous?

Yes, most geese form long-term monogamous bonds.
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Do geese migrate?

Many goose species migrate seasonally.
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What sounds do geese make?

Geese are known for their honking and hissing sounds.
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Do ganders help in nest building?

Ganders primarily protect the area but may assist in nest building.
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Can geese be domesticated?

Yes, geese have been domesticated for eggs, meat, and as pets.
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Do ganders care for the goslings?

Ganders are involved in protecting goslings but do not typically feed or groom them.
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What habitats do geese prefer?

Geese are often found near water bodies like lakes, rivers, and marshes.
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Are ganders solitary or social?

Ganders are social and typically stay with their flock or family group.
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Shumaila Saeed
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Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.

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