Snow Goose

[AJH748]

Taken at Leighton Moss:-

[Picidae]

Nice pic although I rather think there's just a bit of domestic greylag in this one which doesn't bode well for the four birds at the reserve at the moment being from the wild flock reported recently over Lancs. Rather suggests they are feral imo.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Agree with Picidae. Domestic Greylag job.

Cheers,

Adam

[thebeard]

bit of a hijack i'm afraid, but how does one tell a domestic from a wild greylag (in normal plumage rather than all white!)

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by thebeard

bit of a hijack i'm afraid, but how does one tell a domestic from a wild greylag (in normal plumage rather than all white!)

I'm not sure it is that easy unless the bird is ringed (eg. Northern Scotland has something like 600 pairs of genuine wild Greylag and many are ringed as part of an ongoing project) and are largely resident. We also get large flocks of wild Icelandic Greylag migrating to the UK in the winter but in addition to that, there is something like 20 odd thousand feral Greylag in the UK now - obviously, location and time of year would be a key distinction as would habitat. A Greylag on your local duck pond in the summer is more than likely of domestic origin. In fact, during the summer months, outside Scotland/Outer Hebrides, any Greylags are likely to be feral. In the winter, dunno, I've often thought perhaps the winter migrants look less bulky and are more vocal but that's probably romantic thinking on my part when I've seen them on Islay/Northern Scotland. Mixed flocks of Pinkfoot and other migratory geese could be another good indicator. Ie. whether the Greylag/s arrived with a migratory flock.

[Jason Green]

Afternoon AJ

As others says, Domestic Greylag is in there too. Look at that eye and bill - really recalls Greylag in my opinion.

Originally Posted by Picidae

I've often thought perhaps the winter migrants look less bulky and are more vocal but that's probably romantic thinking on my part when I've seen them on Islay/Northern Scotland.

That would be my thinking, especially the slimmer look. I'm sure the RSPB used to have information on the distinction between the domestic and wild individuals, but they cut back on the content slightly a year or two back, especially height/weight/length statistics - maybe that was when, unless I'm remembering incorrectly!

As Pic says, location and habitat are probably best indicators

Take care,

Jason

[Jonathan]

Originally Posted by Picidae

Nice pic although I rather think there's just a bit of domestic greylag in this one which doesn't bode well for the four birds at the reserve at the moment being from the wild flock reported recently over Lancs. Rather suggests they are feral imo.

Hi Picidae,

The o/p's goose has been hanging around Leighton with the greylags for some time, seem to remember seeing it first a couple of years ago? It's fooled many birders as it has some black in it's primaries. The four snow geese that have wintered there are snows and tend to hang out with a few barnies . . . where they were hatched is another question!

Cheers
Jonathan

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by Jonathan

Hi Picidae,

The four snow geese that have wintered there are snows and tend to hang out with a few barnies . . . where they were hatched is another question!

Cheers
Jonathan

Hi Jonathan

I wasn't doubting the identity of the four long staying SG at LMoss - seen pics of them on Birdguides etc and no problems there. However, I believe they also hang out with the domestic Greylag at LM. So, my comment about the Sludge Goose (my term for domestic whites people think are 'Snow'!) not boding well for the status of the four Snow Geese was relating to their origin rather than their taxonomy - ie. guilt by association - I believe another ''white'' goose has been seen with the Snow Goose in recent weeks, which may well be the one in the OP's photo. Snow Geese have turned up in previous years at LM and my thinking was these four Snow Geese may be part of a returning one particular feral group that likes to keep company with other domestic geese (feral or otherwise!). But who knows eh!?