Hi, Jim -
This is a Canada X domestic goose hybrid. They are fairly regular where
"domestic" geese are free-ranging, such as in city parks. i have sen these
hybrids in Clackamette (sp.?) park in Oregon City, in Delta Ponds in Eugene,
etc.
The domestic geese in this country are derived from Graylag Geese and from Swan
Geese. Graylags occur across mid-latitude Eurasia and were domesticated in
Europe, perhaps also elsewhere. Swan Geese are east Asian and were domesticated
in China. Many of the Swan Goose derivatives have a big knob on top of the
bill, although the wild Swan Geese do not. I suspect some domestics have mixed
Graylag X Swan Goose ancestry.
Wayne
From: "Jim Leonard" <photojleonard@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "obol" <obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2016 8:36:48 PM
Subject: [obol] Unusual Goose at Ankeny NWR today. Need help on Identification
There was an unusual goose mixed in with a flock of Canada Geese this afternoon
at Ankeny NWR. I thought it might be a cross between a Greater White-fronted
Goose and a Canada Goose. What is your opinion? I was hoping it was a rare
goose from a far away country. Click on link below for 5 photos. Photos by Jim
Leonard.
https://picasaweb.google.com/108302360004365615395/6285865595103211457?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLTStvKEjcvkZQ&feat=directlink
