While conducting grassland bird surveys this morning (6/11) in Kandiyohi county, I encountered two geese the looks of which were completely new to me. I am hoping someone can offer suggestions to their ID.
Because there were two, and they were so distinctly plumaged, I do not believe they were hybrids. They were migrating north with a flock of Canadian geese (I presume nonbreeders). The two birds were in formation with the canadas when everyone decided the wetland I was overlooking was a great place to land, and all 38 birds came in. The mystery geese were slightly smaller than the canadas, but did NOT look dumpy or short necked like most domestic geese. I estimate them to be in the 5-7 pound range. Their backs and dorsal side of wings looked to be uniformly gray, but much lighter than a Canada goose (actually more silver than gray). Bellies/underside of body appeared white. Their necks were diagnostic with a wide rusty brown or burgundy stripe that ran from the posterior crown through the nape. There was also a dark teardrop color through the eye (like a hen wood duck, but dark on a light colored head, instead of vice versa). Legs and feet (seen while landing) were "orangish", but not bright. Voice was also distinctly unlike Canada, white fronted, or snow goose. I watched the birds for a couple minutes, made a few brief notes, but because I was only about 12 minutes from home, I raced back and grabbed my scope and camera. But when I returned, all the Canada geese were present, and the mystery geese had left. These birds do not resemble any North American goose species I have seen in pictures or print, and I do not have a good waterfowl library. I would recognize the birds immediately if I saw a picture or accurate drawing of one. Any ideas?? Randy Frederickson Willmar ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
