Specie's Page                                               Water Fowl - Canada Geese x Greylag Goose Hybrid

Canada/Greylag Hybrid:   UK Status: Both are Resident.

Habitat: This hybrid goose is a cross between the two species in the title above. It is not a common site though Canada Geese are known to hybridise with other goose species, such as the Snow Goose. Likewise Greylag Geese in the UK are known to hybridise with the Swan Geese. All the mentioned species like the same types of habitats. It likes pools, lakes, flooded quarry and gravel pits, rivers, wide deepish streams and river estuaries.

Breeding: Canada/Greylag breeding habits are similar to the two goose species to which it is related. Nesting on small Islands, or in shrubby undergrowth near to water. Nests are constructed in a similar manner, or grass and reeds.

Comment: Although probably widespread in the British Isles, they are not to common, so it is worth taking a good look if you see one. These hybrid birds are often found in amongst flocks of Canadian Geese, or sometimes with Greylags.

Differences:

There are usually some obvious differences, those to look out for are:

1) The patch on the side of the faces is usually larger, and sometimes more rounded.

2) This patch isn't pure white as in the Canada, but more of a light greyish brown appearance.

3) The beak unlike the Canada is not completely blackish, showing some colour.

4) The forehead has a buff coloured patch, and the head appears slightly more rounded.

5) The Canada's legs are blackish, the hybrid has yellow grey legs and  feet.

Sometimes there are even more obvious differences in the general colouration of the plumage.