Please ID this weird looking water bird for me!!

[norfolkbroads]

I spotted this water bird today while out on the river.

Can you please ID it for me.

http://www.esox.co.uk/images/weird-water-bird.jpg

[Stephen Dunstan]

Looks like a hybrid goose. Always very difficult with these things unless they are a frequent combination - maybe Barnacle x Snow or Canada x Snow.

Regards,

Stephen.

[rimmer]

I agree it does look like a hybrid with the small bill, white face and grey on the back poss Barnacle x canada

[norfolkbroads]

Looks like a hybrid goose. Always very difficult with these things unless they are a frequent combination - maybe Barnacle x Snow or Canada x Snow.

Regards,

Stephen.We have greylag, canada and egyptian geese on the Norfolk Broads - could it possibly be a mix of greylag and canada?

[norfolkbroads]

I agree it does look like a hybrid with the small bill, white face and grey on the back poss Barnacle x canadaThe colour of the bird was mainly white and black - no sign of grey!

[Stephen Dunstan]

We have greylag, canada and egyptian geese on the Norfolk Broads - could it possibly be a mix of greylag and canada?

It is very unlikely to be Canada x Greylag. They tend to be dark with a white area on the face, and a pink or orange bill.

Regards,

Stephen.

[norfolkbroads]

It is very unlikely to be Canada x Greylag. They tend to be dark with a white area on the face, and a pink or orange bill.

Regards,

Stephen.Cheers Stephen

It must be quite a freak occurrence - during the 17 years I have been fishing on the Norfolk Broads, I have never seen anything like it!

[wilder]

It is VERY pretty though, and a super photo!

[Joern Lehmhus]

It is probably a barnacle goose hybrid, but I am stumped with what?

The extention of black on the breast was a constant feature in all barnacle goose hybrids with any other species.
The only other idea would be a brent goose hybrid, but those are much rarer.


In both cases, the second partner may also be bar-headed goose (Hybrids of that species with canada goose, barnacle goose and brent goose all have a black bill)

Jörn

[njlarsen]

I have come a little late to this thread. However, my initial impression of the photo was a dark phase Ross' or snow goose, probably with something else mixed in. Is that completely out of the question?

Niels

[norfolkbroads]

I have come a little late to this thread. However, my initial impression of the photo was a dark phase Ross' or snow goose, probably with something else mixed in. Is that completely out of the question?

NielsThanks for all you thoughts re. the weird water bird.

I think everyone has come to the conclusion that it's a hybrid - of some sort (!)

[chris3871]

Thanks for all you thoughts re. the weird water bird.

I think everyone has come to the conclusion that it's a hybrid - of some sort (!)

How about a canada (or possibly a barnacle goose) crossed with a domestic goose which are white. On a similar note, at fairburn the other week, I saw a canada x greylag. It was, to be frank, hideous. This one, whatever it is, is a bit prettier!

Chris