Anser anser
Status: No accepted records.
Taxonomy: Two subspecies in Eurasian range.
Comments: Most reports of domestic Graylag Geese in Nebraska are from locations where small groups have been established for a number of years, although breeding has not been reported.
The last survivor of a flock of 12 residing in Fremont, Dodge Co since 2013 was photographed 7 May 2019 (Charlotte Croshaw, personal communication; eBird.org). Up to four have been reported at Platte River SP, Cass Co since 2013, most recently four during Nov 2021 (Joel Strafelda, eBird, org). A group using N.P. Dodge Park, Omaha, Douglas Co 19 Feb 2016 was described as “a gift from the Humane Society”; as many as 29 have been reported there 2015-2018, the 29 on 7 Mar 2018 (Rock Wright, eBird.org). Lakeside Park, Douglas Co has hosted up to 10 since 2016, best tally 10 on 1 Apr 2017 and most recently one in Dec 2021.
There are a few additional reports of possible strays or escapees. One was at North Platte WTP, Lincoln Co 2 Jul and 30 Aug 2021; another was at Cody Park, North Platte Jan-Mar 2011. Three at Crystal Springs Park, Jefferson Co 28 Feb 2021 “looked pure” (Sam Manning, eBird.org). Twelve were at Benson Park, Douglas Co 6 Apr 2015. Carter Lake, Douglas Co, hosted three Jan-Mar 2015 and another was there 15 Jan 2017. Three were at Boystown, Douglas Co 14 Apr 2012.
Hybrids with other goose species, notably Swan and Canada Goose, should be looked for in park settings (see Hybrid Species accounts for those species at Hybrids – Birds of Nebraska – Online (outdoornebraska.gov).
Natural vagrancy to the Interior is highly unlikely. There are only six North American records deemed likely natural vagrants, four from maritime Canada, and one each from Quebec and Connecticut (Howell et al 2014; eBird.org).
Images
Literature Cited
Howell, S.N.G., I. Lewington, and W. Russell. 2014. Rare birds of North America. Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press, New Jersey.
Recommended Citation
Silcock, W.R., and J.G. Jorgensen. 2021. Greylag Goose (Anser anser). In Birds of Nebraska — Online. www.BirdsofNebraska.org
Birds of Nebraska – Online
Updated 11 Dec 2021
