Hybrid Goose

[pressld2]

I saw a rather unusual goose at Minsmere yesterday...



I asked someone else in the hide if they knew what it was and they said it's a greylag/barnacle hybrid. I've heard that geese do sometimes interbreed but don't think I've seen the result before.

I assume that as it's parents were different species the chances are it will be sterile.

Anyone else got any examples of goose hybrids?

Dave P.

[aeshna5]

Around London Canada x Greylag are not infrequent. At Kew Gardens there was a Lesser Whitefront that was paired up with a Bar-headed Goose + these produced several broods over the years that were not pinioned so turned up elsewhwhere + resemble Lesser Whitefront.

[SheffieldPete]

I've got some photos of a very similar Canada x greylag at Old Moor RSPB on Flickr. I'd post a link to them but you're not allowed to on here!

[Dae]

I too have a very similar photo of such a goose at WWT Wales, perhaps the same type of hybrid? It was taken by my husband.

[RoyW]

Hybrid geese are fairly common, largely due to the large number of escaped geese at large which want to do want comes naturally but can't find a mate of the same species!

Sometimes it is possible to take a guess at the identity of the parents (I would suggest that the photo Jen has posted has Bar-headed Goose as one of the parents due to the largely grey plumage and black-tipped orange bill), but it is not usually possible to be certain because some hybrids resemble other species (like Aeshnas example), and they often show characteristics not shown by either parent (note the dark undertail coverts on Daves original photo, if it is Greylag x Barnacle - which it does look like - neither species should have this at any age).

Roy.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by RoyW

Hybrid geese are fairly common, largely due to the large number of escaped geese at large which want to do want comes naturally but can't find a mate of the same species!

Sometimes it is possible to take a guess at the identity of the parents (I would suggest that the photo Jen has posted has Bar-headed Goose as one of the parents due to the largely grey plumage and black-tipped orange bill), but it is not usually possible to be certain because some hybrids resemble other species (like Aeshnas example), and they often show characteristics not shown by either parent (note the dark undertail coverts on Daves original photo, if it is Greylag x Barnacle - which it does look like - neither species should have this at any age).

Roy.

I'm not sure it's as straightforward as not finding a mate of the same species as Greylag/Canada couplings are common in the central royal parks where there are large numbers of both species.

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

I'm not sure it's as straightforward as not finding a mate of the same species as Greylag/Canada couplings are common in the central royal parks where there are large numbers of both species.

Yes, and elsewhere as well.
I didn't read what I had written properly before posting, I just meant to suggest that it was one possibly reason for hybrid pairs to occur. It is generally true though that mixed species pairs are more common when one species is at a very low population density.

Roy.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by RoyW

Yes, and elsewhere as well.
I didn't read what I had written properly before posting, I just meant to suggest that it was one possibly reason for hybrid pairs to occur. It is generally true though that mixed species pairs are more common when one species is at a very low population density.

Roy.

I'd agree with that Roy!

[pressld2]

I know there was a canada/greylag pairing on my local reserve last year but don't know if they raised any goslings.

Are they long-term relationship birds like swans or do they pick a new mate each year?

Dave P.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by pressld2

I know there was a canada/greylag pairing on my local reserve last year but don't know if they raised any goslings.

Are they long-term relationship birds like swans or do they pick a new mate each year?

Dave P.

Like swans they do tend to stay with the same partners.