Bean-goose ID please, tks (1 Viewer)

[deanman]

Photoed at Jiangsu Province, East of China.
2 photos same one Goose. Taiga Bean-Goose or Tundra Bean-Goose, Tks.

 

[Nutcracker]

Could easily be neither, the Tundra (rossicus) / Taiga (fabalis) dichotomy only really works with western palaearctic Bean Geese. Genetic studies indicate that of the populations of East Asian Bean Goose complex (johanseni, middendorffii and serrirostris) at least some may be basal to the Tundra - Taiga pair . . .

 

[stuartelsom]

If I recall correctly the more sloping stubbier bill is indicative of A. serrirostris 'Thick-billed Bean Goose'.

Stu

 

[deanman]

Could easily be neither, the Tundra (rossicus) / Taiga (fabalis) dichotomy only really works with western palaearctic Bean Geese. Genetic studies indicate that of the populations of East Asian Bean Goose complex (johanseni, middendorffii and serrirostris) at least some may be basal to the Tundra - Taiga pair . . .

Thank you!

 

[deanman]

If I recall correctly the more sloping stubbier bill is indicative of A. serrirostris 'Thick-billed Bean Goose'.

Stu

Thank you!

 

[lupokatja]

I have no experience with either subspecies (middendorffi or serrirostris), but I have seen pictures of very similar birds that were called middendorffi. I would expect serrirostris to have a somewhat shorter bill and neck than this bird on average, but not sure how extensive the variation is in either subspecies (pictures from middendorffi in Japan tend to show birds that appear even larger, longer-necked, and longer-billed). I would leave this unidentified for now, unless somebody comes along with a more-informed opinion.

Cheers,

Lützen Portengen

 

[Andy Hurley]

I have no experience with either subspecies (middendorffi or serrirostris), but I have seen pictures of very similar birds that were called middendorffi. I would expect serrirostris to have a somewhat shorter bill and neck than this bird on average, but not sure how extensive the variation is in either subspecies (pictures from middendorffi in Japan tend to show birds that appear even larger, longer-necked, and longer-billed). I would leave this unidentified for now, unless somebody comes along with a more-informed opinion.

Cheers,

Lützen Portengen

Can't I.D. as little or no exp in Far east species and sub species, but McNara might be interested in giving it a shot. Try P.M.ing him?