Q&AZ: Are geese and ducks native to Arizona?

Whether you've seen them in manmade lakes or ponds, ducks and geese are ever present in Arizona. But are they native species?

The short answer is yes, but the long one is a little more complicated.

Cathay Wise works for Audubon studying birds in the Southwest. She said ducks and geese have always used Arizona land when migrating and breeding. But in the last decade, urban manmade lakes have brought an influx of foreign waterfowl.

Urban lakes better support ducks that filter food from the water as opposed to other native ducks who dive for their food and feed on fish.

“Ducks like mallards that people know with the green heads and some of the domestic ducks that become naturalized can really utilize these ponds,” Wise said.

Although foreign duck species have found their way into Arizona, Wise said they are still very much a part of the ecosystem. They offer food for predators and are enjoyable for humans.

However, the duck population should be monitored, Wise said.

“They can become too numerous and their waste can become a problem,” Wise said "But with proper pond management, it’s possible to discourage them and kind of keep their numbers in check.”