Numerous reports have indicated the presence of a particularly belligerent goose on campus, specifically on the corner of Martyrs’ Lawn in between Martyrs’ Court Jogues and Collins Hall. While no students have sustained serious injuries from their encounters with the goose, there have been individuals who have suffered physical and mental abuse at the hands — rather, wings — of the creature. 

Violet Marshall, FCRH ’26, first recorded the goose’s presence in a TikTok video that quickly went viral, amassing over 642,000 likes in the first four days the video was posted. “I began to hear some screaming outside my window and soon realized people were getting attacked by a goose,” said Marshall. “I knew I had to film it because it was too funny, but as it started to get more serious, I also wanted people to be aware.” 

Her video, using the aptly selected “Goose On The Loose” song by Dan Bull, showed different students walking past, staring down or — in the more extreme cases — running for their lives from the feathered menace. Barstool Fordham quickly reposted the video on their TikTok and Instagram accounts. Students flocked to the latter, leaving many comments expressing the wide range of campus perspectives: “Reminder to always stay away from martyrs,” wrote @fordhamchicks and “Just grab that stupid bird by the neck,” wrote @sonshinez. 

While no one knows for sure what has brought the goose to Fordham’s campus, Instagram user @elizabethworsham took a gander at it. On Barstool Fordham’s repost of Marshall’s video, she commented, “I’m sure there’s a nest somewhere nearby.” As this comment implies, this borderline violent behavior is not rare for geese, but is a part of their normal mating season behavior. Nesting season begins during the middle of March and continues through late April. During this period of time, both adults of a mating pair defend their broods, with the male acting especially aggressively. The birds, which can weigh a total of 24 pounds and live for as long as 42 years (in captivity), can pose a real threat to Fordham students unfortunate enough to attract its attention — or those foolish enough to provoke it. Canadian Goose threat displays, some of which can be seen in Marshall’s TikTok, include head pumping, hissing, honking and bill opened with tongue raised. According to All About Birds, a blog run by Cornell Lab of Ornithology, “When an intruding goose doesn’t retreat, geese may grab each other by breast or throat and hit each other with their wings. Fighting may result in injuries.” 

As Marshall can attest, some victims can sustain other types of injuries simply by being chased. She witnessed a student who, upon being chased by the goose, tripped on the stairs, sustaining a serious enough injury that she needed a wrist brace. Maia Munich, FCRH ’26, said of the incident: “At first it was honestly quite terrifying, because I was the first person to get attacked. So, it was really unexpected. Now, looking back at it, it’s funny, but at the time I was really scared that the goose was going to hurt me.” Fortunately, Munich has fully recovered from her interaction with the goose. 

Mike Smallenberger, GSB ’26, another victim of the goose, had an experience similar to Munich’s: “As I walked past Martyrs I noticed the beast with hatred in its eyes. It flew after me with murderous intentions. I luckily escaped the encounter with my life, but I know not everyone lives to tell the tale.”

Besides the few students who had the unfortunate luck to be chased down by the goose, students seem to be mostly avoiding the bird. “Pretty much everyone,” said Andrew Hall, FCRH ’24, “avoided it like the plague or moved away as much as possible.” Hall attributes this to the way that the bird stands as still as stone. Joseph Ryan, FCRH ’24, corroborated Hall’s claim: “He stares menacingly at me whenever I walk by.” 

Not all students see the goose in a negative light, however. Nicole St. Jacques, FCRH ’24, is a staunch defender of the bird. “I think the goose is awesome and has every right to defend its family. I think we should consider how this land probably was filled with geese before Fordham and he’s reclaiming the space,” said St. Jacques. 

Regardless of student opinions about him, this avian avenger is here to stay. As the breeding season ends in late April, the bird might very well remain stationed at the edge of Martyrs Lawn for the rest of the month. During that time, we can all enjoy the novelty of this bird from a safe distance. Students living in Jogues, good luck. And, everyone, please don’t provoke the goose.