Posted by Iain Tookey on February 9, 2009 at 7:04 AM
I was out and about yesterday afternoon and came across a group of Greylag Geese feeding/lounging about.
However, I noticed a different bird amongst them (the only one of its kind) and my bird guide says it's a Barheaded Goose?
I understand these aren't native to the UK, but there are some 'feral' ones about?
I just wondered if these are more common than the guide says, and whether it will breed with the Greylags, or indeed if it is some kind of hybrid already?
Although not my main reason for posting, comments on the pic are welcome as ever!!
It's quite an interesting image in nothing else for me. It's a shame the third one isn't looking the same way too, would have made a nice cascading profile shot.
Interesting and factual image, well done !
Drew
Posted by Iain Tookey on February 9, 2009 at 8:26 AM
Thanks for the kind comment Drew.
Yes, I waited for ages for the three to look the same way, but alas they never did!
I didn't bother them for too long as the whole flock started to get a bit agitated by my presence and I didn't want to send them off on a pointless energy sapping journey!!
It definately looks like a bar head right down the the black spot at the tip of its bill, in fact the only think that makes me doubt it is the colour of the feet that should be more yellow. I would assume it is an escapee as its normal range is winter:India and summer:Asia (high up)
Do you have a photo where its neck is up? Does it have the white strip running down the neck flanked by Grey?
T
Posted by Iain Tookey on February 9, 2009 at 9:27 AM
Hi Tom,
I've got this one, where it's standing, and it does appear to have the stripe all the way down its neck.
Can't post it, as I've not got around to becoming a member yet! I've posted the link below though.
That's a Bar-Head. There a few feral ones around Islay, I suppose the feral ones just follow the greys...
Posted by Dawn Monrose on February 9, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Very nice, and interesting too! I like the way they're lined up. Do people keep bar-headed geese as pets at all? Perhaps it's an escapee? Or just hanging out with his pals...
Discussion
7 repliesHowever, I noticed a different bird amongst them (the only one of its kind) and my bird guide says it's a Barheaded Goose?
I understand these aren't native to the UK, but there are some 'feral' ones about?
I just wondered if these are more common than the guide says, and whether it will breed with the Greylags, or indeed if it is some kind of hybrid already?
Although not my main reason for posting, comments on the pic are welcome as ever!!
D300
Nikon 70-300 @ 300mm
f5.6
Slight Crop
USM/Levels
Interesting and factual image, well done !
Drew
Yes, I waited for ages for the three to look the same way, but alas they never did!
I didn't bother them for too long as the whole flock started to get a bit agitated by my presence and I didn't want to send them off on a pointless energy sapping journey!!
Do you have a photo where its neck is up? Does it have the white strip running down the neck flanked by Grey?
T
I've got this one, where it's standing, and it does appear to have the stripe all the way down its neck.
Can't post it, as I've not got around to becoming a member yet!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3430/3266765982_ac935e0cbe_o.jpg
Your right not a British native species, it breeds in Asia and migrates to India etc. where I was fortunate to get onto one.
Still an excellent capture, I particularly like the composition.