Kathy,

These non-migrating, urban Canada Geese will attempt to breed with almost
anything including drinking fountains in parks and your kid's tricycle, so
it's no surprise that they produce offspring with feral barnyard geese and
this sounds like the results of such a match.

Dennis Rockwell Kennewick, WA dennis.rockwell at gte.net

The worst government is the most moral. One composed of cynics is
often very tolerant and human.
But when fanatics are on top there is no limit to oppression.

H.L. Mencken (1880-1956)
-----Original Message-----
From: kjandrich at netscape.net <kjandrich at netscape.net>
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Date: Tuesday, February 19, 2002 5:58 PM
Subject: Goose


>
>Hi Tweeters,
>
>I was in my extended back yard this weekend, Cavanaugh Ponds in Renton, and
across the Cedar River got to see a pair of White Fronted Geese. Being a
sort of newer birder they were a first for me. Beautiful geese. They were
with a bunch of Canada geese and a strange goose that superficially looked
like a Canada but with major differences. Legs and feet orange, about 20 to
30% larger than the Canada's. Overall coloring similar to Canada but neck
and head more brownish than black. The cheek patch was very large, oval and
dirty tan-white color. Lateral corner of the eyes nearly touched the patch.
The bill was dark with a pink "strip" near the tip and if I remember right
(my notes are at home and computer here...) a white ring around the base of
the bill. It also had a whitish eyebrow that met the cheek patch. It was
associated with one of the Canada geese and very aggressive toward any who
came near. Could it be a hybrid? The orange legs and feet made me think
not, b!
>ut I don't know what traits are dominant.
>
>I would appreciate any comments.
>
>I would like to know what it is that "gets" the Pine Siskins. I have
forgotten if bacteria or virus, but a couple people have asked lately on
Tweeters and I haven't noticed any online response.
>
>Yours,
>
>Kathy Andrich
>Renton, WA
>kjandrich at netscape.net
>--
>
>
>
>
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