Date: 11/30/25 8:35 am From: David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Blue goose
Intergeneric hybrids are not unheard of, and in the waterfowl family the
genetic relationships are closer than they might appear based on
phenotype. There are quite a few known hybrid combos among geese and ducks
that cross generic boundaries. We see it in warblers and sparrows, too, and
other groups.
On Sun, Nov 30, 2025 at 8:58 AM David Hyde <davidhyde1951...> wrote:
> This does look like the same hybrid goose. I have a question: if two
> species hybridize that means (does it not?) that they are close to each
> other on the species list. So how come we have a *branta* hybridizing
> with an *anser*?
>
> On Fri, Nov 28, 2025 at 8:37 PM Gary Bowen (Thornton) <gewb10026...>
> wrote:
>
>> Might it be this bird from early this morning at McIntosh Lake?
>>
>> Regards,
>> Gary Bowen
>> Thornton, CO
>>
>> [image: IMG_6369-Edit-Edit_LuminarNeo-edit.jpg][image:
>> IMG_6379-Edit-Edit_LuminarNeo-edit.jpg]
>>
>> On Friday, November 28, 2025 at 4:29:23 PM UTC-7 David Hyde wrote:
>>
>>> Thank you all for your remarks. I've studied the photos i took and those
>>> online and it does look more like a Ross'sXCackling hybrid. I note that
>>> Peter Burke spotted one on Lake McIntosh in January 2018! Not a rarity but
>>> I've never seen one before so, happy to record this hybrid in my records
>>> and spend a pleasant few hours sorting it out :)
>>>
>>> On Fri, Nov 28, 2025 at 3:37 PM David Suddjian <dsud......>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi,
>>>>
>>>> I think that is a hybrid Cackling x Ross's or Snow. Blue forms have
>>>> more dark extending up the neck, differently patterned wing (more fancy)
>>>> and quite a dark neck on Ross's (the Blue form of which is quite rare). And
>>>> the goose it is with here is a Cackling - small size, small bill, steep
>>>> forehead.
>>>>
>>>> The hybrid "cheeked" x white geese are fairly regular, usually with
>>>> Cackling as their breeding range overlaps. Real blue morphs are fairly rare
>>>> in the Front Range area but common our east in the prairie counties like
>>>> Logan and Washington.
>>>>
>>>> David Suddjian
>>>>
>>>> On Fri, Nov 28, 2025 at 3:29 PM David Hyde <davidh......> wrote:
>>>>
>>> Hey Cobirders, I just spotted this goose in with hundreds of Canada
>>>>> geese on Lake McIntosh in Longmont. Does it qualify as an adult blue-morph
>>>>> Ross's goose?
>>>>>
>>>>> [image: P1140673.JPG]
>>>>>
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