Swan Goose x Snow Goose

possible domestic Swan Goose x Snow Goose hybrid, or perhaps domestic Swan Goose x (Lesser White-fronted Goose x Ross's Goose hybrid) trigen, Whitlingham (Norfolk, UK), 19th June 2011 - copyright Dave Appleton

(photo ID: 0106)

I struggled with the ID of this bird for some time.  The dark 'mane' and the all black bill were clear indications of Swan Goose ancestry but the other parent was less clear.  The white-edged greater-coverts suggested Snow Goose or Ross's Goose but it was a while before I became comfortable with idea that this bird could be a domestic Swan Goose x Snow Goose hybrid, and only after much helpful input from others.  Had  I noticed that the greater coverts were long and hanging, perhaps I would have reached this conclusion earlier!

There is another possibility though.  In the same flock there is a hybrid presumed to be Lesser White-fronted Goose x Ross's Goose (you can see it in the bottom photo below).  It is perhaps possible that that hybrid bred with one of the domestic Swan Geese in the same flock, and this bird is the trigen offspring.  So, for now, the identity is still not certain.

possible domestic Swan Goose x Snow Goose hybrid, or perhaps domestic Swan Goose x (Lesser White-fronted Goose x Ross's Goose hybrid) trigen, Whitlingham (Norfolk, UK), 5th February 2011 - copyright Dave Appleton

(photo IDs: 0109-0112)

 possible domestic Swan Goose x Snow Goose hybrid, or perhaps domestic Swan Goose x (Lesser White-fronted Goose x Ross's Goose hybrid) trigen, Whitlingham (Norfolk, UK), 1st July 2011 - copyright Dave Appleton

(photo IDs: 0107-0108)

Swan Goose Anser cygnoides
Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus
Snow Goose Anser caerulescens or Chen caerulescens
Ross' Goose Anser rossii or Chen rossii