Wednesday 26 February 2014

Emperor Goose x Cackling Goose

probable Emperor Goose x Cackling Goose hybrid, Rosensteinpark, Stuttgart (Germany), summer 2003 - copyright Joern Lehmhus
(photo ID: 0847)


This individual is much smaller than the feral Greylag Geese that it associates with.  Its origin is unknown but in 2003 it was caught and ringed during a ringing programme targeting Greylag Geese at Lake Max-Eyth-See (Stuttgart-Hofen, Germany) and has been seen at several places in Stuttgart since.

Regarding its identity Joern refers to the mostly dark undertail-coverts which point to Emperor Goose as a likely parent.  Despite the superficial resemblance to Hawaiian Goose the greyish chin patch approximates to Canada/Cackling Goose with the small size favouring Cackling.






probable Emperor Goose x Cackling Goose hybrid, Rosensteinpark, Stuttgart (Germany), summer 2003 - copyright Joern Lehmhus
(photo IDs: 0843-0846)





Emperor Goose Anser canagicus or Chen canagica
Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii

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