Hybrid Goose

Observed by DavidHowdon
Amateur Entomologists' SocietyLondon Natural History Society
DavidHowdon's reputation in BirdsDavidHowdon's reputation in BirdsDavidHowdon's reputation in Birds on 18th January 2008
(Added to iSpot on 8th February 2010)
Observation of Canada goose x Snow goose hybrid., Birds
Location: Shibdon Pond

Anyone care to hazard a guess as to what went into this goose.

Identification
  • Hybrid Goose by DavidHowdon
    Amateur Entomologists' SocietyLondon Natural History Society
    DavidHowdon's reputation in BirdsDavidHowdon's reputation in BirdsDavidHowdon's reputation in Birds at 11:26 pm 08/02/10
    Confidence: I'm as sure as I can be.
  • Snow Goose ('blue phase' of Lesser or Lesser x Greater) (Anser caerulescens) by dshubble
    Leaf Beetle Recording SchemeSouthampton Natural History Society
    dshubble is knowledgeable about Birdsdshubble's earned reputation in Birdsdshubble's earned reputation in Birds at 11:19 am 09/02/10
    Confidence: It might be this.
    Search Encyclopedia of Life for Anser caerulescens
    View NBN map for Anser caerulescens
  • likely ID 
    Canada goose x Snow goose hybrid. by dshubble
    Leaf Beetle Recording SchemeSouthampton Natural History Society
    dshubble is knowledgeable about Birdsdshubble's earned reputation in Birdsdshubble's earned reputation in Birds at 1:50 pm 09/02/10
    Confidence: It's likely to be this, but I can't be certain.

Comments

Snow Goose

9 February 2010 — DavidHowdon
Amateur Entomologists' SocietyLondon Natural History Society
DavidHowdon's reputation in BirdsDavidHowdon's reputation in BirdsDavidHowdon's reputation in Birds

I looked at (blue phase) Snow Goose as one component of this and suspect it could be part of it but found the neck had too much white and the wings too dark (there would be a lot more grey on a 'blue duck').

--
David Howdon
http://freespace.virgin.net/david.howdon/

snow goose hybrid

9 February 2010 — dshubble
Leaf Beetle Recording SchemeSouthampton Natural History Society
dshubble is knowledgeable about Birdsdshubble's earned reputation in Birdsdshubble's earned reputation in Birds

I was wondering about the extent of white on the neck too and whether this would be seen in the greater x lesser hybrid - however, I've had a bit more of a look around and will suggest the alternative of Canada goose x snow goose.

Hybrid Goose

9 February 2010 — RHomanRHoman's reputation in BirdsRHoman's reputation in Birds

Two noteable features of the goose are the fairly delicate bill and the domed forehead. Many of the Canada x Snow pictures show a stouter bill and a nice even line from bill tip to top of head. It seems very unlikely but there might be a bit of Ross's in there somewhere. (When will we be able to buy DIY DNA kits?)

Robert Homan

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