Can anyone tell me if this is a duckling or gosling....and what type

[Amberly98]

My kids found this little one under our truck in our driveway. I originally thought it was a duck, but now I am starting to wonder if it is a goose (specifically a Canadian goose). We live in a pretty urban environment and we never see ducks or geese in our yard or neighborhood....so this one has me stumped. We looked all over in bushes and went door to door to see if anyone had seen it's family or was missing a little one....but nothing found. So, we are raising it currently with Bantam chicks. It is about the same size as our 4 week old bantams. It is very needy, hates to be in the brooding box, but loves to be held. It has not be afraid from the moment we found it (which is why we were thinking it was a pet). Anywho, I can keep it, but I don't want to get in trouble with the law if it is a Canadian goose (I live in CA). For now we are raising it as we do our chickens, but it is getting water fowl started feed (not the medicated like our chicks).

 

[Amberly98]

Feet and legs are black, bill is black, the rest is yellow and brownish/grey.

 

[sourland]

I THINK it is a gosling, but not a Canada. I really like the picture with your son. Hopefully someone will be more helpful than me.

 

[Fishkeeper]

I don't know about ID, but make sure it has a deep water bowl. Waterfowl need to be able to submerge their bill past their nostrils when they drink.

 

[Chicks 'n ducks]

When I looked up pictures of canadian goslings, they looked awfully similar to yours. I'm no expert though. He/she is very precious!

 

[Iain Utah]

That is definitely a Canada gosling. You can tell by the distinct curve on the sides of beak.

 

[chickendreams24]

If it's a wild Canada gosling it is illegal to have. You should contact the dnr or find a rehabber.

 

[Amberly98]

I THINK it is a gosling, but not a Canada. I really like the picture with your son. Hopefully someone will be more helpful than me.

Thank you. Yes, I agree it looks like a gosling....I am hoping it is not a canada

 

[Amberly98]

I don't know about ID, but make sure it has a deep water bowl. Waterfowl need to be able to submerge their bill past their nostrils when they drink.

Ok, will do. Thank you for the advice!

 

[Amberly98]

If it's a wild Canada gosling it is illegal to have. You should contact the dnr or find a rehabber.

Yes, I have reached out to a few places to see if I can get a ID. I am aware we cant keep a bird protected under the MBTA without a permit....so I am hoping it is not that species or we will have to take him in.