Hybrid goose, France (2 Viewers)

[Valéry Schollaert]

Hi all,

I've been asked, on Facebook, to identify this goose. The photographer claims a large size, such Canada Goose, although the bill I see seems smaller and let me think of smaller parents.

What do you think please ?

THANKS !

 

[Joern Lehmhus]

It is a Barnacle goose x Barheaded goose. That is a common hybrid combination with many , but not all birds showing the dark breast of barnacle goose. This seems to be one of those who show that only as a faint shadow. Also the amount of white in head and neck is very variable in this cross.

In most cases these are in size between the parent species. head and leck shape and length as well as bill shape and length in this bird also fit to barnacle x barheaded goose.

Here is a Canada x Barheaded for comparison:

https://flic.kr/p/oayQ78

 

[Valéry Schollaert]

It is a Barnacle goose x Barheaded goose. That is a common hybrid combination with many , but not all birds showing the dark breast of barnacle goose. This seems to be one of those who show that only as a faint shadow. Also the amount of white in head and neck is very variable in this cross.

In most cases these are in size between the parent species. head and leck shape and length as well as bill shape and length in this bird also fit to barnacle x barheaded goose.

Here is a Canada x Barheaded for comparison:

https://flic.kr/p/oayQ78

Great, Joern, thank you very much. That was my firt thought.