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Telling them apart
Doc Duck

Telling them apart (Chen rossii, Chen caerulescens)

Snow Geese (the one in front) have a black line along the gap in their bills. They're also a tad bigger than the Ross's Geese (the two in the back here) and have a somewhat more sloped head. Ross's, besides being smaller and having a more spherical head shape, have shorter bills and tend to have knobbly bits on the back edge of their bills.

Oh, and I'd seem some sort of white goose at a park by San Francisco Bay some years back, but too far away to be sure which, so I've counted both these species as lifers this trip.
Habitat
high desert wetland
Location
Bosque del Apache national wildlife refuge
Date taken
17 Nov 2015
Scientific name
Chen rossii, Chen caerulescens
Equipment used
fz200 +2.2
Staff member
Opus Editor
Supporter
What a great picture and ID details you've given here Ann.

Thanks very much. You really did learn a lot on that trip, didn't you!
 
Supporter
It seems you covered all the bases for a Ross's Goose Doc plus provided a great comparison, squeed in the middle (lol). Superb work! Three fabulous geese posts Doc!!!!
 
Opus Editor
Supporter
Congratulations on two lifers, and a great set of photos, Ann!
 
Opus Editor
Supporter
Three awesome images, Ann ... wonderful commentary ... congratulations on the lifers ... tfs ...
 

Media information

Category
North America
Added by
Doc Duck
Date added
View count
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Comment count
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