Age indications/Does plumage turn grey with age?

[HeatherKellyB]

So, Gooslyn never has a mate with her when the big flock is there, and they pick on her during mating/nesting season? That makes me wonder if Gooslyn isn't a gander. Geese supposedly mate for life, but it seems if a female lost her mate she would get another, because there always seems to be more males than females.

I was outside this morning counting the geese right after they flew in, in two flocks and couldn't find Gooslyn. Seems like we've acquired a few extras in the bunch now that I counted 39, multiple times. While standing around just watching, I noticed a goose in the sky, all alone. As it got closer I could see the curled up foot and then could tell it was Gooslyn. I've often wondered if she was a gander, but never see her get picked on like the other obvious ganders. Buddy is another injured one that doesn't visit as often as Gooslyn. His injury isn't as old as Gooslyn's. He is picked on pretty badly but I believe his injury occurred after the main height of mating season. Of course this is all new to me, so I appreciate your knowledgeable input. Any chance you're able to tell the sex of a Canada Goose through pictures? Or is it better to base this on actions along with pics? I've wondered about Gooslyn for a while now but just started settling on calling it a her. She does have a feminine look, but then again one of my Calls that has a feminine look is definitely a drake I have fallen in love with another group of juvenile (I believe they're juveniles because they're so small and petite). One in particular is absolutely beautiful! Other than how gorgeous this little one is, I noticed it has wry tail. This is my first time seeing this in a wild goose. As sassy as it is, I suspect it's from an injury. I could talk chicken, duck, and goose all day (but that's probably obvious by now, so my apologies)

 

[GranderTheGander]

Talk all you want. No, I can't tell from pictures. I can only tell from behavior, relationship to other geese and size in pairs. The ganders always look taller and heavier than their mates. I always assume, too, any mature one without a mate is a gander. In groups, outside of mating/gosling season, the ganders always seem to be the "guard" geese, too. They are the ones standing tall, looking out for any approaching threats. If a guard starts eating, another gander starts guarding the direction that gander was watching.