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Many factors affect disturbance. It is well known that quarry species become less wary after the end of the shooting season. Food availability is another important factor, and greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons) tolerate much more disturbance when food is in short supply, although alertness then occupies more time. Wariness of a flock of greater white-fronted geese feeding in an area may depend on a tradition of disturbance in that area as well as actual disturbing influences at any particular time. On average, 3% of the day is spent being alert with parents spending more time alert than others, thus allowing young birds to feed or rest for longer. Level of disturbance is important in limiting time available for feeding whether or not disturbance is actual and the birds are put to flight. During the short days of midwinter, grazing greater white-fronted geese spend more than 90% of their daytime feeding with the remainder spent in other essential activities such as drinking, preening, and flight from disturbance. Any enforced increase in these activities compels birds to feed at night, possibly lose weight, and desert the feeding area.