Given the number of Canada x Barnacle hybrids I've seen over the years (probably 4-5 at disparate locations), I'm forced to conclude one of the following:
1) That there's a wild, highly motivated, libidinous Barnacle Goose wandering the state, sowing its wild oats.
2) That this species is fairly common in captivity and interbreeds freely with Canada Geese, either after escaping or perhaps whilst in captivity alongside Canadas (with the hybrid progyny subsequently escaping).
Best,
Andrew HoweRiverside, CA
On Friday, October 16, 2026 at 11:41:20 AM PDT, Tom Benson via groups.io <thomasabenson...> wrote:
Tom,
I am not aware of previous reports of this bird, but it is almost certainly an escapee and not a wild vagrant. Barnacle Goose is not considered a likely vagrant to California, and even if one did show up, Prado seems like a very unlikely location for one.
Tom BensonRedlands, CA
-------- Original message --------From: "<tgmiko...> via groups.io" <tgmiko...> Date: 10/16/26 11:12 AM (GMT-07:00) To: Inlandcountybirds <inlandcountybirds...> Subject: [inlandcountybirds] (Feral?) Barnacle Goose Prada
Any thoughts on the Barnacle Goose at Prado? It seems a few weeks (a month?) early for a Siberian or a Eurasian vagrant duck or goose.Is this a known tame bird?
