Ross's or Snow Goose?

[takkatakka]

Hello,

  Saw this goose in a field in Markham. With about thirty Canada Geese, with ten more arriving as I was there. At first I was thinking it was a Snow Goose, but I'm now wondering if this might be a Ross's. All comments are appreciated.

   Thanks,

[Paul O'Toole]

Looks good for a Ross's Goose.

[Brown-headed Birder]

Unless the Ross's Goose is on inaccessible private property it would be wonderful if you would post directions to the goose.  For many people this might be a lifer.  Thanks!

Theresa

[takkatakka]

Thanks for the feedback.

We actually saw it in two different places in Markham.  At first we saw it in one of the flat areas (preparation for construction) on the North side of 16th Avenue, just West of Donald Cousens Pkwy.  After returning with our camera we saw it had moved to a field on the East side of Reesor Road just south of 16th Avenue.

Good luck.

[lucky tern]

i don't see the "grin" patch so not a pure snow but bill looks large and forehead not very steep for a pure ross's...unfortunately i think it's probably a hybrid.  Which really makes no one happy.

[lucky tern]

nice comp of ross vs snow vs hybrid on this link

http://kevinkarlsonphotography.com/gall ... 4.jpg.html

[Brown-headed Birder]

With the discussion on Ross's vs hybrid, and thinking personally a slightly odd Ross's, I sent the picture to Ron Pittaway and here is his exact reply:


--------------------------------------------
On Sat, 10/14/17, Ron Pittaway  wrote:
 
 I sent the photos to goose expert Ken
 Abraham, retired research scientist with the MNRF. Ken said,
 "Well, it's not quite typical Ross's in the way the bill
 slopes from the crown and perhaps a bit of a hybrid grin
 patch, but it's got a lot of Ross's in bill colour, facial
 feather line, etc. Conservative call is hybrid, but I could
 accept variation within Ross's."
 
 Happy birding,
 
 Ron


So, there you have it

Theresa

[takkatakka]

Thank you everyone.  I really appreciate all the effort that was put into this and find it really interesting.

It is a beautiful bird.

Thanks.