Reproductive success and survival in relation to experience during the first two years in Canada Geese

We studied the relationship between family associations of immature Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) and their reproductive success as 2-year-olds and survival to three years. A higher proportion of immature Canada Geese asso ciated with family members survived to breeding age and were more successfu l in reproducing in their first potential year of sexual maturity (age 2) t han were geese that were not in family associations. These results illustra te the benefits of prolonged parental care outweighing costs to parents and the probable influence of family association on future successful breeding . Many reproductive failures of vertebrates with complex social organizatio n may be related to experience during maturation.