On Wed, 29 Mar 2000 19:53:28 -0800 "Peter Sullins"
<thesullinsfamily at earthlink.net> writes:

> SNIP<
> However, they all (or at least most) displayed black under the wings,
were not as large as snow geese (shorter necks),
> and a few had rust-colored faces. The black on the wings was exactly as
portrayed in my Peterson for Ross Geese.
>SNIP<

Peter,

Actually, the black primaries are very similar in both SNOW GOOSE and
ROSS'S GOOSE and not a field mark which can be used to seperate the
species. Additionally, rusty coloring on the face is a feature of SNOW
GOOSE, not ROSS'S GOOSE. Head and bill shape and bill coloring are
reliable field marks for seperating these two species. I am not aware of
any records of ROSS'S GOOSE in Washington state which involved more than
one specimen. I did photograph a ROSS'S GOOSE in the company of 3 CANADA
GEESE on May 5, 1997, in Benton County and submitted it with a report to
the State Records Committee.

Dennis K Rockwell, Kennewick, Washington denniskrockwell at juno.com

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