[TN-Bird] goose mess

With the recent split of Cackling Goose from Canada Goose
and the possibility of further splits, I've been trying to
pay more attention to the local geese.  The group at the
Pellisssippi State campus pond in west Knox Co allows for
close study.

I ran over at lunch today and gave a few a good look.  First,
no "Blue" Snow Goose... haven't seen it since Sunday, 5 Dec.
And no Cackling Goose.  But what about the 200 or so that
were there?

Resident geese with neck collars included:
R28E, R85E, R88E, X42A, X96A, X97A

I focused on a small subgroup of 20 or so birds.  Most
appeared to be the large, resident B. c. maxima.  At least
they appear of similar size, body mass, coloration and
bill size compared to the banded birds (assuming the banded
residents are of this subspecies which "should" be the case).

In addition, there were at least 4 geese in this group that
were noticeably smaller... though probably not noticeable
unless you were looking.  My impression was that they were
probably on the order of the size of a large Snow Goose or a
bit larger (hard to say without other species there).
Coloration was much the same but some had very noticeable
white collars (of feathers, not the white plastic neck bands).
Not sure that some of the larger birds didn't have white
collars too, and apparently this is not a reliable field mark
for anything.

What does this mean?  Not sure.  Safe to guess though that
these were probably migrants from one of the northern
populations.  Maybe they're even "Lesser" Canada Geese.
Kinda makes your head hurt, doesn't it?

Anyone else out there care to share thoughts on the geese
they've seen this winter?


Dean Edwards
Knoxville, TN




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