JOGGERS and dog walkers have been getting the bird - from angry geese.

Runners, cyclists, and walkers using the Bridgewater Canal in Salford say Canada Geese have taken to snapping at their heels as they pass.

The hissing parents, who have made their home in Worsley and Boothstown, are super-protective of their offspring.

Jogger John Mills is undeterred: "I don't think it will stop people running. It's a good thing to have birds and animals on your doorstep.

"Sometimes the geese will hold you up and you can't get past because they are really attacking you."

The geese are devoted parents and never leave their goslings unguarded.

They are normally tolerant of humans and will nest on any suitable pond or stream - they only get nasty when protecting their young. And as one of our pictures shows, dogs are also left in no doubt who is boss.

Cyclist Steve Doughty said: "It can be tricky if you come to a narrow part of the towpath. They get very aggressive because you pass so close to them.

"They need to know their place, which is right at the bottom of the pecking order - so to speak."

Nadia Shaikh, of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, said: "This kind of behaviour will only be for a few weeks. When the chicks are a bit bigger the parents will back off as the goslings can defend themselves.

"More and more birdlife is moving into the concrete jungle and we will have to learn to co-exist. They will not cause that much trouble - just a bite on the ankle at worst. There is more risk of falling in the canal than being seriously hurt by Canada Geese.

"It is completely natural behaviour for them to be aggressive to defend their young, and as they are familiar with humans they are not scared of coming up to people anymore."

Manchester city centre is also proving popular with other birds. There have been reports of blue tits and goldfinches nesting as well as its resident peregrine falcons.