What Goose?

[glsammy]

This Goose was at Rufford Park today. I imagine it's a cross? Heinz 57 or similar??

[Yashca]

At first I was thinking Greylag x Canada, and it does look like a hybrid between a black goose and a grey goose, but this one looks more petite, with a smoother gradient of colour. Perhaps Barnacle x Greylag? Certainly a hybrid of some sort.

[htcdude]

Interesting bird I've not seen one like it before, looks like it's got some Greylag heritage in it. Not sure what else though!

[Yashca]

Could be hybrid Greylag x Canada crossed back to a pure Canada, but I thought most black x grey geese hybrids were sterile. I'll keep thinking.

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by Yashca

At first I was thinking Greylag x Canada, and it does look like a hybrid between a black goose and a grey goose, but this one looks more petite, with a smoother gradient of colour. Perhaps Barnacle x Greylag? Certainly a hybrid of some sort.

Your right re the size. There were some pink footed geese there last year, mixing with Greylags and Canada Geese.
My initial thought was Pink Footed mix..

[Adam Cheeseman]

There's Canada in it.

Cheers,

Adam

[RoyW]

An interesting Goose, definitely some Canada in there as Adam says, and perhaps Pink-footed Goose is a possible candidate for the second parent (or perhaps something more exotic like Emperor Goose or even Ne-Ne).

Since you are already signed up to flickr, I would suggest that you find the flickr "hybrid birds" group (easily found with a search of their site) and ask for opinions there. There are already lots of hybrids/potential hybrids illustarted and discussed in the group, with a few regular posters who have made a point of studying hybrids.