The identification of Greater White-fronted Geese as to subspecies to mind is very worrisome.  In New York State most of White-fronted's I saw I felt had orange bills.  However, I highly doubt any are of the Greenland race.  Furthermore, I have seen birders in field looking at the same bird and disagreeing on bill color (some saying the bill looks pink, while others say the bill is orange).  

There seems to be in New York a lot of allegedly Greenland race birds showing up in Western and Central New York but not that many downstate.  Seems like you would expect more Greenland birds to show up along the coast.  Furthermore, it seems that rise of east coast sittings of this species might correlate with the increase of the US breeding population of this species.

The problem is most eastern birders (myself included) have limited experience with White-fronted of either population.  I would love if someone with extensive experience with both the Greenland and Central US population gave us ID article with comments on range of variation between subspecies.  But at this point I don't believe most birders have the knowledge to identify these birds as to supspecies.

Brendan


-----Original Message-----
From: Maryland Birds & Birding on behalf of Bob Ringler
Sent: Sun 2/6/2005 8:19 PM
To: 
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Greater White -fronted Goose
 
Sigrid,
   Congratulations on your White-fronted Goose.  We are always interested in knowing which subspecies is being found here.  Did your bird have a pink bill or an orange bill.  Also, was it an adult or immature and what was the size compared to the Canadas?  Thanks.

Bob Ringler
Eldersburg MD

 
---- Sigrid Stiles <> wrote: 
> For as long as I've lived here I've searched the flocks of Canada Geese for a 
> Greater White-fronted Goose. This year there are the fewest geese I can 
> recall in the area. Today, there were about 200 Canadas on the fast disappearing 
> ice in front of our house. Among them were one domestic goose & one 
> Greater-white Fronted! Not only a yard bird, an ABA area bird for me.
> 
> Also seen, the raft of about 65 Canvasbacks, a pair of Hooded Mergansers, a 
> half dozen Buffleheads, about as many Ruddy Ducks & dozens of Ring-bills & a 
> handful of Herring Gulls. Plus ene Great Blue, who looked happy that the ice is 
> breaking up.
> 
> Sigrid Stiles
> St. Jerome Creek
> Dameron, St. Mary's Co