Federal officials are trapping and killing Canada geese in nine New Jersey counties.

U.S. Agriculture Department spokeswoman Carol Bannerman confirms the “capture and removal” program is taking place for six weeks, the time the birds are molting and cannot fly.

Hundreds of Canada geese will be removed from parks, golf courses and areas near airports. A removal program last year reduced the population by less than 2,000 birds.

A similar program is under way in New York City, which plans to trap and gas up 2,000 Canada geese.

The hazard the birds pose to aircraft became a focus when U.S. Airways Flight 1549 landed in the Hudson River after striking a flock and losing both engines.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.