goose id (hybrid)

[neil.gtis]

hi all
can you tell what goose this is flying with the canada
neil

[Dave Appleton]

It's either a Snow Goose or a Ross's Goose but I'd need a better view of the bill to be sure which. It seems quite small which would favour Ross's, but both are smaller than Canada.

Both species occur as escapes, with some breeding occasionally reported. Wild birds from North America also turn up most winters but with a feral Canada Goose it's most likely to be an escaped bird. Where was it?

[neil.gtis]

hi dave
here is the uncropped photo it was taken flying over
darfield south yorkshire from rspb old moor direction
neil

[neil.gtis]

hi dave
done a tight crop on the head
hope this helps
neil

[MIKE THROWER]

Ross's Goose, the origin, who knows? Likely go down as an escape.

[Dave Appleton]

Not enough detail on the bill to be sure - looks a little big-billed for Ross's, but in view of the small size of the bird overall (and the short neck) I think Mike's probably right to say Ross's. I vaguely remember hearing of a flock of feral Ross's Geese in York (university campus?) so it might have come from there, but there are plenty around anyway. Given the fact that it's accompanying feral geese it's almost certain to be an escaped (or feral) bird, but you never know!

[clydebirder]

I agree with Mike, the bird and its bill are too small for Snow Goose

cheers, John