Ross's Goose x Canada Goose

 

 Ross's Goose x Canada Goose hybrid, Severance, Weld County (Colorado, USA), 19th February 2014 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo ID: 1526)

Steve points to the tiny head and bill without a hint of a grin patch as screaming Ross's Goose, but notes that the bird was a bit bigger than the Cackling Geese nearby.  If Snow Goose was a parent, he'd expect a larger head and bill.  A Ross's Goose x Cackling Goose hybrid would have been smaller. 

Ross's Goose x Canada Goose hybrid, Severance, Weld County (Colorado, USA), 19th February 2014 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo IDs: 1527-1529)

The identification process is similar for the next bird.  Steve comments on this one, "Separating Ross's x Canada from Snow x Cackling is tricky, as both would result in similar sized birds.  This bird is larger than nearby Cacklers but a bit smaller than nearby Lesser Canadas.  The delicate head and proportionately tiny bill point to Ross's Goose parentage.  The size necessitates Canada Goose as other parent."  Steve goes on to compare it to a Snow Goose x Cackling Goose hybrid at the same place and date which had a bulkier head and longer bill and adds that if it were not for size, one might consider Ross's x Cackling for this one, based on head and bill.

Ross's Goose x Canada Goose hybrid, Poudre River, Greeley, Weld County (Colorado, USA), 3rd February 2013 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo ID: 1219)

(See also: Snow Goose x Canada Goose, Snow Goose x Cackling Goose, Ross's Goose x Cackling Goose, Ross's Goose x Barnacle Goose)
 

Ross's Goose Anser rossii or Chen rossii
Canada Goose Branta canadensis