Can a Swan & Goose interbreed ?

[ayreandco]

They can but it's a very rare event in nature. As it happens I own one!

http://www.ayreandco.com/taxidermy-swoose-6217.phtml

 

[Elliott B]

[/IMG]
So I found what looks like a mute swan / goose hybrid in Santa Rosa Ca Can mute swans have such dark feathers. My research hasn't found any swan that looks like this one. Notice the orange bill and feet. Also notice how the geese are chilling next to the for sure swan. Hmm.

 

[Elliott B]

 

[buff goose guy]

[/IMG]
So I found what looks like a mute swan / goose hybrid in Santa Rosa Ca Can mute swans have such dark feathers. My research hasn't found any swan that looks like this one. Notice the orange bill and feet. Also notice how the geese are chilling next to the for sure swan. Hmm.

Dude just really.... that is an embden goose or a male pilgrim goose not a hybrid of any sort.

 

[Tenrec]

@FireTigeris

All European-descended domestic geese (same species) have a diploid number of 80, while there is variation in diploid number in different swan species...Shouldn't karyotyping give us a good idea, then, given that the two species do not have the same diploid number?

Also, there is evidence of hybridization between species of different genera, which I believe is the arbitrary level that geese and swans differ. They wouldn't be the first birds to give that a go.

(also regarding phylogenetics and species definition, i have some people you could probably get into a fiery debate with on that! : p )

 

[Marsalforn]

Where I live on the shores of Lake Geneva, an esaped domestic goose lived for a few years with a couple of swans. Then one day Mr Swan disappeared or died and goosy filled the breach. He lives an entirely aquatic life with Mrs Swan, and two years ago they had 3 kids. He is called Klaxon because of the noise he makes. He's a local celebrity.

 

[Marsalforn]

 

[Marsalforn]