Greater White-fronted Goose x Lesser White-fronted Goose

probable Greater White-fronted Goose x Lesser White-fronted Goose hybrid, Oudeland van Strijen (Zuid-Holland, Netherlands), 22nd February 2015 - copyright Diederik Kok

(photo ID: 3010)

There is quite a lot of variation in both Greater and Lesser White-fronted Geese so proving hybrids between them is quite difficult.  I am not entirely certain that pure Greater White-fronted Goose can be discounted for this individual as there probably isn't any single feature shown by this bird that does not sometimes appear on them.  However the combination of conspicuous yellow eye-ring, limited dark belly markings and slightly short-looking very pink bill make me think it is a good candidate.  There isn't much in the size or structure visible in the photos to clinch it though, so I am a bit cautious about labelling this as a definite hybrid.

probable Greater White-fronted Goose x Lesser White-fronted Goose hybrid (with Greater White-fronted Geese; same bird as in photo ID 3010 above), Oudeland van Strijen (Zuid-Holland, Netherlands), 22nd February 2015 - copyright Diederik Kok

(photo IDs: 3011-3012)

Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons
Lesser White-fronted }Goose Anser erythropus

Tundra Bean Goose x Greater White-fronted Goose

probable Tundra Bean Goose x Greater White-fronted Goose hybrid (with Tundra Bean Geese), Oost (Texel, Netherlands), 29th December 2016 - copyright Diederik Kok

(photo ID: 3004)

Convincing examples of hybrids between some of the wild Anser species that occur in Europe are surprisingly hard to come by.  Perhaps that is because the hybrids are genuinely scarce, or perhaps it is hybrids are difficult to detect and even harder to prove, with variation in parent species considerable.  I suspect it's the latter but maybe in time this will become more clear.  This one looks like a promising candidate to me, although proving it is not an odd but genetically pure Tundra Bean Goose is not straightforward.

The white round the base of the bill is not enough on its own to reject pure Tundra Bean Goose - quite often they have a little white round the bill.  Usually this is broken on pure birds, not surrounding the whole of the upper mandible in a continuous line.  Not only is it continuous here but it's quite broad at the top too.  Perhaps that is possible in pure Tundra Bean - it wouldn't surprise me if so - but this bird also has a lot of dark shading behind the white, something that I don't recall seeing to this extent on a Tundra Bean Goose.  The extent of orange on the bill may not be too excessive for Tundra Bean Goose (though is not usual) but it also seems to have a pinky tone to it.  I think in combination these features point to a likely hybrid origin, although I am troubled by how perfect the rest of the bird looks for Tundra Bean Goose.  Maybe it is just a very unusual Tundra Bean Goose, but I am more convinced by this bird being a hybrid than others I've seen where the hybrid ID has been suggested.

In addition Diederik thought this bird called differently from the Tundra Bean Geese.  He has a recording of it at waarneming.nl.  I think it's quite a subtle difference, but that may be because I don't hear Tunrda Bean Geese calling often enough!

As always, comments are welcome!

probable Tundra Bean Goose x Greater White-fronted Goose hybrid (same bird as in photo ID 3004 above; with Tundra Bean Geese), Oost (Texel, Netherlands), 29th December 2016 - copyright Diederik Kok

(photo ID: 3005)

Tundra Bean Goose Anser serrirostris (formerly Anser fabalis rossicus)
Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons

Greater White-fronted Goose x Red-breasted Goose

probable Greater White-fronted Goose x Red-breasted Goose hybrid, Üfingen (Lower Saxony, Germany), 26th January 2013 - copyright Joern Lehmhus

(plate ID: 0550)

Joern describes this as a small black goose, smaller than a Greater White-fronted Goose.  The cheek patch was ochre and it had white ate the base of the bill; the leg colour was greyish-fleshy, probably not fully correct on the drawing.  The underwing was all dark.  It arrived with a flock of White-fronted Geese, although Tundra Bean Geese and Greylag Geese were also in the area.

It is clearly an Anser x Branta hybrid, and Joern discussed the identity of this bird at length.  I shall attempt to summarise his deliberations. 

The dark plumage is typical of White-fronted Goose sp. x Barnacle Goose hybrids, but the cheek patch would be unusual in colour and extent for such a hybrid.

The way the cheek patch was lightest behind the eyes and got gradually darker resembled Red-breasted Goose x Barnacle Goose hybrids and also some captive hybrids Red-breasted Goose x Cackling Goose hybrids, though it cannot be either of these.  The contrasty pattern of Red-breasted goose, especially the white parts, seems to disappear in Red-breasted Goose hybrids we have seen so far (with Barnacle, Cackling and Brent Geese, all of which were relatively dark).  So Red-breasted Goose is a contender.

Joern also considered Hawaiian Goose as a candidate for the Branta parent, but notes the lack of strongly-ridged neck feathers typical of that species and at least some of its hybrids, and the dark underwing which is lacking in Hawaiian Goose.

For the Anser parent it is perhaps difficult to rule out Lesser White-fronted Goose, but Greater White-fronted Goose seems the better fit, is more likely, and of course this bird was with Greater White-fronted Geese.

Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons

Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis

Greater White-fronted Goose x Barnacle Goose

presumed Greater White-fronted Goose x Barnacle Goose hybrid, Coxford (Norfolk, UK), 9th March 2004 - copyright Dave Appleton

(photo ID: 0028)

A mixed pairing of Barnacle Goose x White-fronted Goose occurred at Raynham Lake (Norfolk, UK) a few years ago and were observed to be successful (per Andrew Bloomfield).  A number of hybrid geese frequented the area after that and at least two of these are presumed to be the offspring of this pairing.

Hybrids between Barnacle Geese and either of the White-fronted Goose species seem to be very dark-bodied - more so than either parent. 

 presumed Greater White-fronted Goose x Barnacle Goose hybrid, Coxford (Norfolk, UK), 13th March 2003 - copyright Dave Appleton

(photo ID: 0026)

presumed Greater White-fronted Goose x Barnacle Goose hybrid (same bird as photo ID 0028 at top of page), Coxford (Norfolk, UK), 9th March 2004 - copyright Dave Appleton

(photo ID: 0027)

presumed Greater White-fronted Goose x Barnacle Goose hybrid, Flitcham (Norfolk, UK), 1st  June 2007 - copyright Dave Appleton

(photo ID: 0020)

presumed Greater White-fronted Goose x Barnacle Goose hybrid, Flitcham (Norfolk, UK), 8th January 2008 - copyright Dave Appleton

(photo IDs: 0024-0025)

presumed Greater White-fronted Goose x Barnacle Goose hybrid, Flitcham (Norfolk, UK), 17th February 2010 - copyright Dave Appleton

(photo IDs: 0021-0023)

presumed Greater White-fronted Goose x Barnacle Goose hybrid, Raynham Lake (Norfolk, UK), 1st April 2011 - copyright Dave Appleton

(photo IDs: 0018-0019)

 presumed Greater White-fronted Goose x Barnacle Goose hybrid, Raynham Lake (Norfolk, UK), 10th February 2012 - copyright Dave Appleton

(photo IDs: 0015-0017)

So far as I know there has not been any ongoing hybridisation in this area after the initial event, so I assume that all of the birds shown above (which may only be two or three birds) relate to the original hybrid offspring.  If this is the case then it is especially interesting to note that the most recent observations involve a bird with a much whiter belly than previously, suggesting that its appearance has changed over time.  However this is not proven - it is possible that it is a new bird and it could have arrived from a different source. 



(See also: Lesser White-fronted Goose x Barnacle Goose) 

Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons

Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis

Greater White-fronted Goose x Cackling Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose x Cackling Goose (possibly Taverner's Cackling Goose, race taverneri) hybrid, Aurora (Colorado, USA), 8th December 2014 - copyright Cathy Sheeter

(photo ID: 1833)

This bird was associating with Cackling Geese, probably 10-15% larger than average sized Richardson's Cackling Goose (race hutchinsii) (Cathy thinks about the size of a Greater White-fronted Goose).  It appeared heftier in build with thick neck and blocky head, fairly short bill, facial patch smudgy with cleaner white area at base of bill, dirty orange legs (not bright) and no under tail barring.   Cathy tells us this is a different look from others of this hybrid that she has seen and a heftier bird.  Possibly Taverner's Cacking Goose instead of Richardson's as the parent species.

Greater White-fronted Goose x Cackling Goose (possibly Taverner's Cackling Goose, race taverneri) hybrid (same bird as in photo ID 1833 above; with Cackling Goose), Aurora (Colorado, USA), 8th December 2014 - copyright Cathy Sheeter

(photo IDs: 1831-1832)

The next bird was in the same park as the one above - along with about 3000 geese - but was not associating with the bird above.   It was MUCH smaller than the bird shown above - Cathy reckons about 10-15% smaller than average sized Richardson's Cackling Goose (race hutchinsii)  Cathy notes the skinny neck, rounder headed, short bill, dark brown neck, legs dirty orange legs (a bit brighter than the bird above) and no under tail barring.  Given the size and head/bill shape Cathy also considered Ross's x Cackling, but the orange legs would seem odd for such a hybrid.

Greater White-fronted Goose x Cackling Goose hybrid (with Canada and Cackling Geese - in last photo bird at front is Moffit's moffitti/Giant maxima type, middle birds are Lesser parvipes and farther back are Richardson's hutchinsii), Aurora (Colorado, USA), 8th December 2014 - copyright Cathy Sheeter

(photo IDs: 1834-1836)

I thought the extent of white on the head of the bird above was interesting, but Cathy's next bird has even more.  Turns out that this seems to be quite common in Greater White-fronted Goose x Cackling Goose hybrids - more so than Greater White-fronted Goose x Canada Goose hybrids for some reason.  Joern has also pointed out that this phenonemon can occur in other hybrids such as Lesser White-fronted x Barnacle.  Some discussion took place about whether this bird could involve Ross's Goose but note the bright orange legs.  The undertail-coverts are marked as is often the case with Anser x Branta hybrids.

Greater White-fronted Goose x Cackling Goose hybrid (with Greater White-fronted Geese), Longmont (Colorado, USA), 13th January 2014 - copyright Cathy Sheeter

(photo IDs: 1839-1841)

Cathy captured a fine portrait of the next bird along with some studies of the wing veins and rump/tail pattern.

Greater White-fronted Goose x Cackling Goose hybrid (with Cackling Geese), Aurora (Colorado, USA), 18th January 2014 - copyright Cathy Sheeter

(photo IDs: 1889-1895)

Another one showing barring on the undertail-coverts here.  The head shape helped the identification on this bird.  It was with one Greater White-fronted Goose and about 150 Cackling and Canada Geese.  Cathy tells us it was slightly larger than the Greater White-fronted Goose.

Greater White-fronted Goose x Cackling Goose hybrid (with Cackling Geese), Lakeshore Pond, Aurora (Colorado, USA), 17th January 2012 - copyright Cathy Sheeter

(photo IDs: 1896-1899)

The next bird was with Taverner's Cackling Geese and Steve points out that the bird was stouter and had a larger bill than in Greater White-fronted Goose x minima Cackling Goose hybrids.

Greater White-fronted Goose x Taverner's Cackling Goose (race taverneri) hybrid, near Vancouver (Washington, USA), December 2008 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo IDs: 1487-1488)

Compared to that the next bird accompanying minima Cackling Geese was very small and had a very small, narrow bill:

Greater White-fronted Goose x Ridgway's Cackling Goose (race minima) hybrid, near Vancouver (Washington, USA), February 2007 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo ID: 1489)

The next bird closely resembles Greater White-fronted Goose x Canada Goose hybrids but was just a tad bigger than the Cackling Geese with a rather delicate bill.

Greater White-fronted Goose x Cackling Goose hybrid, Poudre Ponds, Greeley, Weld County (Colorado, USA), 26th January 2014 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo ID: 1505)

In the next photo (a different bird), Steve has helpfully identified the large bird at the rear as moffitti/maxima Canada Goose and the bird in profile on the far right as probably a Lesser Canada Goose (race parvipes), though not a typical individual.

Greater White-fronted Goose x Cackling Goose hybrid, Windsor Reservoir, Weld County (Colorado, USA), 26th January 2014 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo ID: 1506)

Both of these birds (photo IDs 1505-1506), especially the second (1506), show more white on the forehead than we might expect.  Steve has noted that this may be key to the ID, suggesting that it may be more common in Greater White-fronted Goose x Cackling Goose hybrids than in Greater White-fronted Goose x Canada Goose hybrids.


Steve tells us that the next bird, among a flock of Ridgway's Cackling Geese (minima) had was longer-billed than the previous hybrid he'd seen of this type, but the fact that it was barely any bigger than the minima supports the identification.

Greater White-fronted Goose x Ridgway's Cackling Goose hybrid (with Ridgway's Cackling Goose, form minima), Bay Center, Pacific County (Washington, USA), 23rd October 2015 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo IDs: 2297-2298)

Alhough the bill looks relatively thick in the next photo, Steve assures us that it was actually small and thin.  The bird itself was not much bigger than the nearby Cackling Geese.

Greater White-fronted Goose x Cackling Goose hybrid (with Cackling Geese), Windsor Reservoir, Weld County (Colorado, USA), 26th February 2016 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo IDs: 2731-2732)

Again, here is a Greater White-front x Cackling with more white on and around the head than you might expect, unlike an earlier Greater White-front x Canada at the same location.

Greater White-fronted Goose x Cackling Goose hybrid (with Cackling Geese), Windsor Reservoir, Weld County (Colorado, USA), 11th December 2016 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo IDs: 2885-2886)

The next bird was found swimming near a very similarly-marked Greater White-fronted Goose x Canada Goose hybrid, causing some confusion.  Steve tells us that compared to its compatriot this bird was smaller-bodied (about the size of Richardson's Cackling Goose hutchinsii) and stubby-billed.

Greater White-fronted Goose x Cackling Goose hybrid, Weld County (Colorado, USA), 10th January 2017 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo IDs: 2908-2909)

(See also: Greater White-fronted Goose x Canada Goose)



Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons
Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii
Taverner's Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii taverneri
Ridgway's Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii minima