Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis x Snow Goose Anser caerulescens hybrid

This bird was in a flock of feral Barnacle Geese and its identity is not certain, though it is clearly either a Ross's Goose x Barnacle Goose hybrid or a Snow Goose x Barnacle Goose hybrid. Its plumage closely resembles that of Ross's Goose x Barnacle Goose hybrids but I initially assumed Snow Goose involvement on account of the large size - clearly larger tha Barnacle Goose. The size still tips it in favour of Snow Goose for me, but I am less sure as I have subsequently discovered that Ross's Goose x Barnacle Goose hybrids may be slightly larger than Barnacle Goose (maybe not as much as this), the neck seems rather short and the bill perhaps a little on the small side. The lack of an obvious grin patch may not be an issue as it seems that this is not always present on Snow Goose hybrids.

probable Barnacle Goose x Snow Goose hybrid (with Barnacle Geese), Buckenham Marshes (Norfolk, UK), 1st January 2010

probable Barnacle Goose x Snow Goose hybrid (with Barnacle Goose and Black-tailed Godwits), Buckenham Marshes (Norfolk, UK), 2nd January 2012

For comparison, here are photos of the parent species.

Barnacle Goose, south of Brancaster (Norfolk, UK), 30th October 2007 and Snow Goose, Stiffkey Fen (Norfolk, UK), 21st March 2009

For more photos of these species follow the links below:

• Barnacle Goose
• Snow Goose