On Tue, 28 Feb 1995, Dennis Paulson wrote:

> Emperor Geese can also have stained heads.

One data point. I saw the Emperor Goose in the town of Bodega,
California on Jan 16 when it had a white head and neck with some dusky
mottling on the face. This last Sunday, February 26, I took a class up
to view the bird and was astonished that its entire head and neck were
stained a deep rusty-orange. This bird has been living in a vernal pool
since it's original discovery on Dec 27.

Clearly the staining may be acquired locally on the wintering grounds.

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Joe Morlan
Albany, CA
jmorlan at slip.net