Mama Goose Teaching Goslings to Flap Their Wings Is Pure Internet Gold
If you've ever watched a toddler proudly copy everything their parent does, you already know why this sweet animal video is melting hearts online. In the adorable clip shared by Jersey City Geese Observer (@jcgeese.observer), a mama goose stands in front of her fluffy goslings and begins flapping her wings while the babies try to do the same with clumsy flaps of their own, and we can't stop watching them.
The wholesome lesson looks just like a preschool class because only a couple of the goslings seem to be paying attention at first. The others are busy resting or searching for snacks, but by the end, they all come running toward the camera and start practicing their wing flaps together. You can check out the adorable video here.
JC Geese Observer shared in the caption, "The cutest moment on my own ranking board: when the goslings flap their small wings." We can't disagree with that!
Related: This Video Shows How Baby Geese Sleep and It's Way Too Cute to Miss
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How Goslings Learn to Fly Long Before They Leave the Ground
After baby geese hatch, they leave the nest within 24 hours and immediately begin following their parents everywhere. At just one to two days old, they can already walk, swim, forage, and even dive up to 30 to 40 feet underwater. Despite being so independent early on, goslings usually stay with their parents until they're about a year old.
At first, goslings are covered in soft, fluffy down instead of full feathers. By around two months old, they begin developing adult feathers and learning how to fly. According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), goslings learn many of these skills by observing and mimicking their parents' behavior. They practice running and flapping their wings long before they actually take off, and their parents stay close by to protect them when they finally do take flight.
IDNR also shared this fun fact: "As the goslings continue to grow and become more independent of their parents, they may group together with other young geese. These groups, called ‘gang broods,' can consist of up to 100 goslings." That sounds a lot like a flock of teenagers roaming the neighborhood together.
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This story was originally published May 24, 2026 at 4:00 PM.