[Swan x Graylag Goose] (hybrid)

Anser cygnoides x anser ANSER

Status: No accepted records.

Comments: There are reports from five locations, presumably of released or escaped hybrids from domestic stock. A flock of 12 appeared around 2008 at Fremont Lakes SRA, Dodge Co; three remained Nov 2015 and one female on 26 Feb 2021 (Charlotte Croshaw, personal communication; eBird.org). One was at Ta-Ha-Zouka Park, Madison Co., 16 Dec 2020- 24 Apr 2021 (eBird.org) and another was there 11 Jun 2023. Two were at Lakeside Park, Douglas Co 24 Nov 2021. One was photographed in Madison Co 17 May 2023 (McMyne, eBird.org). Up to seven were at Heartland of America Park, Douglas Co 25 Sep 2023-18 Apr 2024. One was at Regency Park, Douglas Co 10 Sep-15 Nov 2024.

All domestic geese breeds are descended from Swan Geese and Graylag Geese (Bird Hybrids: Swan Goose x Greylag Goose); in Nebraska intergrades of these species are often found in parks, although “Given the highly variable appearance of domestic geese it is often impossible to determine whether an individual bird is pure Greylag Goose, pure Swan Goose or a mix of both” (Bird Hybrids: Swan Goose x Greylag Goose). White park geese are thought by some to be pure Swan (aka Chinese) Geese despite their orange bills (Bird Hybrids: Swan Goose x Greylag Goose).

Images

Recommended Citation

Silcock, W.R., and J.G. Jorgensen. 2024. [Swan x Graylag Goose] (hybrid) (Anser cygnoides x anser). In Birds of Nebraska — Online. www.BirdsofNebraska.org

Updated 1 Dec 2024