Date: Thu, 5 Mar 2009 08:22:03 -0500
Reply-To: Stephen Barlow <stephen.barlow@CHEMISTRY.GATECH.EDU>
Sender: Georgia Birders Online <GABO-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From: Stephen Barlow <stephen.barlow@CHEMISTRY.GATECH.EDU>
Subject: Re: Goose ID - Chattahoochee Nature Center
In-Reply-To: <1ca8799d0903041844t1386de85pc6724898a818e77c@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed
Looks like a Greylag-type, i.e. an escaped or released domestic
goose. Greylag is the W Eurasian ancestor of many domestic geese
(other domestic varieties are derived from the Chinese Swan Goose).
They are more or less the size of a Canada Goose, while a White-front
is considerably smaller and has a considerably smaller bill. Some of
the domestic varieties have very large ribcages due to selective
breeding. In fact, something a bit odd seems to be going on to the
right of the lower neck of this bird, but I'm not sure what from this
one photo. In terms of plumage, this one seems to have about the
pattern of the wild type, but looks overall paler. Many have
extensive white and some are completely white.
Just to confuse things, Greylags and Greylag-type domestics will
interbreed with Canadas when give the chance (despite being in
different genera). There have been several such hybrids discussed on
GABO recently, including a long-staying individual at the Huie ponds.
They often tend to get first called Canada x GWFG, because that
hybrid (presumably rather unlikely in GA where even pure GWFG are
pretty scarce) is shown in some field guides, whereas Canada x
Greylag is not.
Cheers
Steve
Stephen Barlow,
Principal Research Scientist,
School of Chemistry and Biochemistry,
Georgia Institute of Technology,
Atlanta GA 30332-0400, USA
phone: 404-385-6053
fax: 404-894-5909
email: stephen.barlow@chemistry.gatech.edu
On Mar 4, 2009, at 9:44 PM, Charlie Bostwick wrote:
> I was driving past the Chattahoochee Nature Center on Monday afternoon
> when this goose caught my eye. It was hanging close to a Canada
> Goose which
> can be seen just behind the one in question. I'd appreciate
> thoughts on
> whether it is a Greater White-fronted, a hybrid or just what. See
> link:
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/36028603@N03/?saved=1
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Charlie Bostwick
> Sandy Springs
> Fulton County, GA
>
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