Yesterday morning, just as I was heading out for my volunteer work (why
do interesting birds always show up when you have to go somewhere??!?),
we had a very odd goose on the lake. Size and demeanor of a Canada, but
a light biscuit brown and white mottled (think of the beige on a
Black-capped Chickadee mottled with white). Longish pure white section
on the neck and a sizable white cheek patch. The bill was an
indeterminate color--not particularly light or dark and when it flew, it
had a single dark bar across the tale. Unfortunately because of the
direction/lighting when it flew, I couldn't get a good peek at its feet.
It was also odd in being a solo bird. The Canadas we get around here
come in clumps. The only thing I can come up with is that it was some
sort of hybrid like a Canada/Domestic cross of some sort. Any other
ideas? And yes, of *course* I wound up being late! :) Luckily my
"boss" is understanding of bird identification conundrums.

Bryn Kildow
Olympia, WA