This I feel is more likely to be an 'x' escapee farm type goose and has overtime crossbreed with various local geese like both Canada and greylag. This happens frequently where, especially white geese escape and this in itself can whitewash the patterning in the plumage, which is what I think has happened here. Ta!
Rob Creek said
Thu Nov 18 12:39 PM, 2021
Hi Simon, its eye is black or at least very dark, so I dont reckon its an albino. Structure wise I dont think it looks like a Canada. Its likely to be a hybrid of a few, and I would guess at Greylag being in there due to the thick neck, bill colour and shape. Anybodys guess as to what else. The best I can do for you is a Plumage Lifer!
Simon Gough said
Wed Nov 17 10:16 PM, 2021
Hi Rob,
Do you think it could be an Albino? I can't really see the eye colour in the photos but the bare parts being pink might indicate that with white plumage? If it was then you would be looking at the structure to ID it, and it might just be a small Canada Goose.
If you could turn it into a Cackling Goose even better, that would be a lifer!
Rob Creek said
Wed Nov 17 9:18 PM, 2021
Interesting Goose present at Etherow Park in Compstall today, little bit wary of people but not too bad.
Possibly leucistic but I think knowing what its parentage is could rule that out, if it involved a white or pale species if you get me! Bit smaller than the Canada Geese and although I dont really know what its true identity is - it looks a bit like a small Greylag crossed with Snow Goose, missing the sneering smile on the bill for Snow Goose but a hint of black towards the wing tips was evident on its right side, certainly not definitive though. Nice shade of pink for legs and bill rather than orange which had me thinking it doesnt look like a farm goose but doesnt necessarily rule it out. Doesnt look like theres any Pink-footed Goose in it to me, wrong structure Id say. Probably just one of those odd hybrids unless anyone else can offer anything?
Forgot to add - a small black line seen on the head could indicate Bar-headed Goose influence but it is very small in length and the fact it doesnt cover any of the head or neck and certainly doesnt reach round to the eyes could render it of little importance in the identification.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Wednesday 17th of November 2021 09:23:30 PM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Wednesday 17th of November 2021 09:28:08 PM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Wednesday 17th of November 2021 09:32:45 PM
its eye is black or at least very dark, so I dont reckon its an albino.
Structure wise I dont think it looks like a Canada. Its likely to be a hybrid of a few, and I would guess at Greylag being in there due to the thick neck, bill colour and shape.
Anybodys guess as to what else.
The best I can do for you is a Plumage Lifer!
Do you think it could be an Albino? I can't really see the eye colour in the photos but the bare parts being pink might indicate that with white plumage? If it was then you would be looking at the structure to ID it, and it might just be a small Canada Goose.
If you could turn it into a Cackling Goose even better, that would be a lifer!
Possibly leucistic but I think knowing what its parentage is could rule that out, if it involved a white or pale species if you get me!
Bit smaller than the Canada Geese and although I dont really know what its true identity is - it looks a bit like a small Greylag crossed with Snow Goose, missing the sneering smile on the bill for Snow Goose but a hint of black towards the wing tips was evident on its right side, certainly not definitive though.
Nice shade of pink for legs and bill rather than orange which had me thinking it doesnt look like a farm goose but doesnt necessarily rule it out.
Doesnt look like theres any Pink-footed Goose in it to me, wrong structure Id say.
Probably just one of those odd hybrids unless anyone else can offer anything?
Forgot to add - a small black line seen on the head could indicate Bar-headed Goose influence but it is very small in length and the fact it doesnt cover any of the head or neck and certainly doesnt reach round to the eyes could render it of little importance in the identification.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Wednesday 17th of November 2021 09:23:30 PM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Wednesday 17th of November 2021 09:28:08 PM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Wednesday 17th of November 2021 09:32:45 PM