Many of the old Celtic myths have references to humans who are transformed to geese or swans.(see the song- Molly Ban or Polly Vaughn) Both of these birds have very long lives and a mystical quality. Geese mate for life (yes, they really do, unlike lobsters..)
best- Julia

BTW, doesn't Coleridge's Rime of the Ancient Mariner have something to do with sailors and seagulls?