Anser rossii x Branta canadensis
Status: Rare casual winter visitor west.
Records: There are two records, likely of the same bird.
14 Dec 2021 Scottsbluff WTP, Scotts Bluff Co (Mlodinow, Bushong; eBird.org)
7 Mar 2022 Scottsbluff, Scotts Bluff Co (Mlodinow, eBird.org)
Regarding the 2021 record, the observer noted: “Very peculiar looking hybrid. Photos. Color scheme typical of white x white-cheeked goose. Body size larger than CACG, and somewhat similar to SNOG x CACG. However, neck proportionately longer and looped like CANG when reaching down to feed (not easily appreciated in photo). Bill proportionately smaller, and entirely lacking black along cutting edges where grin patch might be. Grayer basally as in ROGO. This combination of somewhat hefty body and long neck with Ross’s like head and bill fits what is generally considered a CANG x ROGO”.
There are about 15 records shown in eBird (ebird.org, accessed Mar 2024), concentrated in northeastern Colorado, with 1-2 records each in Nebraska and Wyoming.
A prudent way to report the group of hybrids, Ross’s or Snow as one parent and Cackling or Canada the other, is ROGO/SNGO x CANG/CACG. Such reports are often of birds too distant to identify; there are three records for Nebraska, four at Lake Minatare, Scotts Bluff Co 30 Nov 2020, and singles at Scottsbluff WTP, Scotts Bluff Co 13 Dec 2021, and at Barnett Park, Red Willow Co 28 Dec 2021 (eBird.org accessed Dec 2024).
Discussion and photographs of this hybrid can be found at Bird Hybrids: Ross’s Goose x Canada Goose.
Images
Recommended Citation
Silcock, W.R., and J.G. Jorgensen. 2024. Ross’s x Canada Goose (hybrid) (Anser rossi x Branta canadensis). In Birds of Nebraska — Online. www.BirdsofNebraska.org
Birds of Nebraska – Online
last updated 25 Dec 2024