Date: Sat, 7 Dec 2002 16:17:52 -0500 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Robert Ringler Subject: Re: Lake Needwood - Hybrid Goose? MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Tom, If the hybrid was larger than the Canadas it more probably is a Greylag X Canada Goose. White-fronts are smaller and produce hybrids that are similar in size. Greylag is a bigger, stockier goose that is common around barnyards and comes in a variety of plumages from all white to typical grey, sometimes even with a white front. Hybrids with Canadas seem to be more common in recent years as the population of resident Canada Geese increases. Greylags and their hybrids can usually be recognized by their heavier proportions. Bob Ringler ----- Original Message ----- From: Marko, Thomas L. GS BUMED To: Sent: Saturday, December 07, 2002 12:48 PM Subject: [MDOSPREY] Lake Needwood - Hybrid Goose? > Lake Needwood, Montgomery County MD, 7 Dec 02, 1100: > > A crystal-clear morning walk around Lake Needwood provided a great > view of an unusual goose preening along the shoreline. The bird was > among 1000+ Canada Geese in the small area of open water (at least 90 > percent of the lake is frozen over). Compared to the surrounding > Canada Geese, the bird's > overall size and build was larger and it stood taller on longer legs. > The legs were orange-yellow in color and the bill black. The plumage > was similar to a Canada Goose however the head was predominately white > and mottled with patches of black. My hunch is a hybrid > Canada/Greater White-fronted Goose. > > Tom Marko > Olney, MD > MOS-MCC > tlmarko@us.med.navy.mil > > ====================================================================== > = > To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com > with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey > ======================================================================= > > ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================