American Buff geese- guess the gender

[Whitepines]

I think I have a gander and four geese, but I guess I won’t know for sure until they start nesting. Anyone want to take a guess? I have individual portraits of each one and then some group shots. They are a very compatible group and very sweet. Hopefully they aren’t too vicious next spring but I’m preparing myself for pain

(The last photo is them trash talking my drakes. They grew up together but the drakes hate them and attacked them through the fence enough times that they hate the drakes, too, now.)

 

[ColtHandorf]

Can you get some more photos like this?

I can clearly pick my ganders out, but I'm having trouble with the angle I think on your photos? I see one for sure, but then I go back and forth on if there's a second and a third.

 

[Whitepines]

Sure. I will try some other angles. I have one I go back and forth on whose name is Rosebud or Buddy and then Bitsy has been hissy and runs to the front lately but acts very girly otherwise. Gilbert is massive and has always been on alert since he was just a fuzz ball so I’m fairly sure he’s a gander.

 

[Whitepines]

 

[ColtHandorf]

It's much easier to see it when they are in person, but this is what I would guess. @Gray Farms @Miss Lydia What do y'all think? I'm drawing a blank on the username somethingUtah raises Buffs and could probably help too.

*Edited to add: Blue = Gander and Pink = Goose

 

[Miss Lydia]

@Iain Utah

 

[Miss Lydia]

Sorry, I can't say for sure I have to go by voice and actions.

I will say this they are gorgeous

 

[Iain Utah]

Buff toulouse are harder for me to tell gender than buff dewlaps. I also agree the pictures are not the best for determining gender. I prefer seeing the whole group walking (not stressed or being herded) and the picture taken from ground level. Usually the slope of the back and length of neck will help distinguish male from female.

With that said, I'm with Colt and believe at least two are ganders, possibly three. As for breeding season, if they are like my toulouse, they will be VERY protective of nest. On the other hand, they are very successful at hatching and raising babies.

 

[ColtHandorf]

Buff toulouse are harder for me to tell gender than buff dewlaps. I also agree the pictures are not the best for determining gender. I prefer seeing the whole group walking (not stressed or being herded) and the picture taken from ground level. Usually the slope of the back and length of neck will help distinguish male from female.

With that said, I'm with Colt and believe at least two are ganders, possibly three. As for breeding season, if they are like my toulouse, they will be VERY protective of nest. On the other hand, they are very successful at hatching and raising babies.

I'm so sorry I couldn't think of your user name Iain! I don't spend enough time on the waterfowl side of the forum. I'm glad I wasn't totally off and I agree with you on the best photos. @Whitepines if you have a Youtube account you can upload a video of them there and link us to it or embed it here and we might be able to tell a bit better.

I know my ganders are larger and are usually louder but not higher pitched than the geese. I also notice a difference in feet and bill color. My males are a darker more pumpkin orange while the females are paler. In breeding season when they've been on the nest it can lighten to an almost coral pink. Males legs are generally thicker too. And I find my ganders to be more "personable"? They usually approach me before the females, although Georgia my oldest will stand directly behind Golly and chat with me. Sometimes I can touch her. My females are also very tolerant of nest checks. The ganders not as much. I try to just leave them alone. I have found the most effective way to dissuade a full on assault with mine is to bend over, throw out my arms, and baby talk for cuddles. The ganders are always horrified and disgusted that I'd think they want to love on me when they are big strong boys protecting the girls and sulk off. lol

 

[Miss Lydia]

That's so funny. I should try that with Sam but he'd probably come up and bite me anyway,