Ross's Goose in St. Louis County
2012-10-07

Uncommon in St. Louis County in the Fall season

This juvenile "Ross's" Goose Ð actually, more likely a hybrid/intermediate Ross's x Snow Goose Ð was first seen by the Minn Birding Weekends group (and others) at the McQuade Rd safe harbor (on Scenic Hwy 61 just NE of the Duluth city limits) on 6-7 October, and last reported there on 7 or 8 October. Presumably this same individual (because of the dates involved and the similarity in plumage) was at Bayfront Park in Duluth through at least 14 October and was first noted there by Don Kienholz on 9 October. At McQuade Rd there was nothing else present for direct size comparison, but at Bayfront Park the bird was about the same size overall as a nearby Cackling Goose or perhaps slightly larger. However, since the various Cackling Geese subspecies vary in size, it may still be somewhat difficult to determine the overall size of this goose. The reduced amount of gray in the plumage seems more consistent with juvenile Ross's Goose, since juvenile Snows tend to show more gray, although this can vary in appearance depending on light conditions, camera settings, etc. Also suggesting a Ross's was its call, given twice at McQuade Rd, which seemed higher pitched than a Snow Goose. The bill, however, suggests it may be a hybrid: note its somewhat elongated shape (not as stubby as on a typical Ross's) and the hint of a reduced Snow Goose-like "grinning patch" along the cutting edges of the bill. Also, the shape of the base of the bill where it meets the facial feathers seems intermediate: somewhat straight as on a Ross's, but still with a bit of a curve as on Snow Goose.

Kim R. Eckert; "digibin" image with 10x32 Leica Ultravid binoculars.