Weird Unknown Goose - ID?

acherontia · #1 (**permalink**) 16-03-2010, 09:42 PM

I'm not a great goose buff - I only know a few but I've never seen 'owt' like this before! I've had a look at me books - and no I can't find it.

It seemed to be around the Canada geese for a while and it's body colourings and shape are pretty similar to theirs. But the head 'lump' looks like a Mute Swan and the legs like a Greylag!

Would such a cross be possible??? The mind boggles.

I'd be very grateful for an explanation off you experts out there

Acher

Ferret · #2 (**permalink**) 16-03-2010, 09:50 PM

That’s a Chinese Goose Domesticated version of the Swan Goose Anser cygnoides from China and Mongolia.

Ferret

aeshna5 · #3 (**permalink**) 17-03-2010, 06:14 AM

Agree, it's a Chinese Goose.

acherontia · #4 (**permalink**) 17-03-2010, 11:33 AM

And so it is - well I never diddly doodled (Ned Flanders voice)

I've never seen one before - this was at Stanley Park, Blackpool. You get all sorts there

LOL

Cheers!

Acher

captaincarot · #5 (**permalink**) 18-03-2010, 11:47 AM

they were in etherow park manchester the week before last

darrenm · #6 (**permalink**) 18-03-2010, 12:05 PM

there is population on a small holding at the back of Bestwood Country Park /Lammins Lane area of Nottingham. These birds all have their wings clipped but are stil an unusal sight and one i didnt expect and bumped into them whilst looking for Little Owls in the area.

Imagine if they are free flying in other areas that they will be another non-native species which may be breeding in the UK before long.

acherontia · #7 (**permalink**) 18-03-2010, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darrenm

Imagine if they are free flying in other areas that they will be another non-native species which may be breeding in the UK before long.

My thoughts too. I'm presuming someone introduced them, this one escaped and it didn't fly all the way from China for a holiday. It was very tame and asking for food - as can be seen in the photo.

Acher

Dogghound · #8 (**permalink**) 18-03-2010, 04:46 PM

We have a small population of unpinioned birds on a local lake here although they tend to be extremely sedentary.

diggleken · #9 (**permalink**) 18-03-2010, 05:03 PM

just a bit more from me!
apparently (I read! From Eric Soothill and Peter Whitehead) these have been domesticated for 2 or 3,000 years.
The wild version holds itself with the body horizontal, whilst the domesticated version, as here, tend to have an upright body - interesting maybe as a pointer to domesticated geese?
But also, they have become far too heavy to fly over the many years - which might well explain the sedentary behaviour mentioned.
A few are on the pond at Glastonbury Abbey too...............

Cheers
Ken

acherontia · #10 (**permalink**) 19-03-2010, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diggleken

just a bit more from me!
apparently (I read! From Eric Soothill and Peter Whitehead) these have been domesticated for 2 or 3,000 years.
The wild version holds itself with the body horizontal, whilst the domesticated version, as here, tend to have an upright body - interesting maybe as a pointer to domesticated geese?
But also, they have become far too heavy to fly over the many years - which might well explain the sedentary behaviour mentioned.
A few are on the pond at Glastonbury Abbey too...............

Cheers
Ken

Interesting! Told you - "I know No..think" (Manuel voice)

It does look more horizontal ( a laid back dude goose perhaps

) and it was just waddling and swimming.

Cheers! So much to learn and so little time LOL

Acher