Cackling geese and hybrid challenge in Fort Collins, Colorado USA (1 Viewer)

Laura G. Young

Well-known member

• Mar 17, 2016

• #1

Hi all --

I came across some interesting geese in November, and would be interested in your thoughts as to what they could be. My guess is 1) Cackling goose or Canada goose x snow goose, and 2) an Aleutian Cackling? Also, I'm pretty sure 3) is a light morph of some sort.

Many thanks,

Laura

 

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Indobirder

Well-known member

• Mar 18, 2016

• #2

Isn't the first one a "blue" snow goose?
Last one might be a leucistic cackling

 

Laura G. Young

Well-known member

• Mar 18, 2016

• #3

Hi Indobirder! Thanks so much for your thoughts on this.

Hum, perhaps a "blue" snow goose -- but what of the dark speckling on the head? :h?:

I agree about the cackling in the third.


Still trying to ID pic number 2......

 

tril42

Suzanne Britton

• Mar 18, 2016

• #4

The odd goose in the first photo looks like a Canada/domestic hybrid to me.

 

Laura G. Young

Well-known member

• Mar 18, 2016

• #5

Hi tril42! Would you take a gander at what breed of domestic it could be? (Haha sorry about the bad pun.)

 

Corvus cornix

Well-known member

• Mar 18, 2016

• #6

I'd guess that the Canada hybrid is probably crossed with a Greylag-type domestic goose (Emden, Pilgrim or similar, as opposed to a Chinese goose-type).

Cheers

 

D

DarkFireFalcon

Well-known member

• Mar 19, 2016

• #7

The pink feet and bill and slim proportions suggest that one parent was a Snow/Ross's Goose, and the other was a Canada/Cackling Goose. I see no evidence of a domestic ancestor. Given the size comparison with the Cackling behind, and the bill proportions, I'd go with a blue Snow Goose x Cackling Goose.

 

Andy Hurley

Gotta love nature!

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Mar 19, 2016

• #8

DarkFireFalcon said:

The pink feet and bill and slim proportions suggest that one parent was a Snow/Ross's Goose, and the other was a Canada/Cackling Goose. I see no evidence of a domestic ancestor. Given the size comparison with the Cackling behind, and the bill proportions, I'd go with a blue Snow Goose x Cackling Goose.

Click to expand...

I sort of agree. The bill shape at border is curved like Snow Goose and there is a visible grin. The bill is too long for Ross's, although it appears to have a bluish flush at the base. Would one Canada Goose parent fit bill size better?

 

Last edited: Mar 19, 2016

Laura G. Young

Well-known member

• Mar 20, 2016

• #9

Thanks so much for your further thoughts on this, Corvus, DarkFireFalcon and Andy! I feel much better about not being able to initially identify this hybrid. I'm also leaning towards blue snow goose x cackling/Canada.

Next time I run across a goose like this (as I have from time to time) I'll be sure to take more photos from different angles. While I realize that mixed parentage birds aren't everyone's cup of tea, I find them fascinating.

 

T

tom baxter

Well-known member

• Mar 21, 2016

• #10

I don't know that I would personally jump to hybrid on the goose in #1, it looks fine for a normal "blue" snow goose to me. The dark feathers on the neck may not be typical but there is a lot of variation in snow goose morphs and I don't see any structural influence from anything other than snow goose.

 

Last edited: Mar 21, 2016

D

DarkFireFalcon

Well-known member

• Mar 21, 2016

• #11

In addition to the dark speckling on the neck and breast, note that the tertials are uniform brown, not the black with silver edging that you'd see on a Blue Snow Goose, but just like you'd see on a Canada/Cackling Goose. There's no doubt that this is a hybrid, the only question is whether it's with Cackling or Canada.

 

Birdbrain22

Well-known member

• Mar 22, 2016

• #12

#1 is def not a Blue morph Snow Goose... no doubts that it is a hybrid. I agree with Canada or Cackling x Snow

 

S

stevethehydra

Well-known member

• Mar 22, 2016

• #13

I'd say 1 is Canada x Snow (rather than Cackling x) going on size and bill length (and as others have said not a pure "blue" Snow because it's too brown, and also I'd say too Canada-like in structure). No idea about 2 (except that it seems very oddly proportioned to me, but I don't know if any of the "disputed" subspecies between Canada and Cackling typically look like this) but 3 has the proportions of a Cackling and pretty much the same plumage as the "dilute" (I think captive breeders sometimes call them "blonde") Canadas that there are a few of among the feral populations on the canals around Manchester (UK) - see e.g. https://www.flickr.com/photos/126840895@N05/16476212081/in/album-72157648419201604/

 

Joern Lehmhus

Well-known member

• Apr 11, 2016

• #14

DarkFireFalcon said:

The pink feet and bill and slim proportions suggest that one parent was a Snow/Ross's Goose, and the other was a Canada/Cackling Goose. I see no evidence of a domestic ancestor. Given the size comparison with the Cackling behind, and the bill proportions, I'd go with a blue Snow Goose x Cackling Goose.

Click to expand...

I agree on snow goose x probably cackling,
but please note also a white phase snow goose can produce such a blue phase-like hybrid with a cackling or a canada (or another colored goose)