Mutant or hybrid Canadians?

[Mary Of Exeter]

So today going down the highway, I spot the usual Canada geese flock on the side of the road. But in that flock, I noticed one bird was much lighter colored than the rest. Had the darker head and neck, as well as the white cheeks, so it was for sure another Canadian. BUT, it was more of a light, creamy apricot looking color than the typical brown bodies of normal Canadians. Other than the odd body color, all markings were the same that I could tell. I really wish I wasn't on a highway so that I could've taken pictures

Perhaps next time I go by, since they seem to be there every day eating.

Any ideas on this, or am I going cuckoo?

 

[Dar]

I could be off my rocker but I am wondering if there is anyway it could have a gene abnormality .. like albino in humans, or Vitiligo

 

[deerman]

Mutation my guess, it happen in all birds, but with wild birds it get lost. Just like a buff ringneck pheasant. Was a mutation someone saved

 

[protodon]

There are some pictures of hybrids here and also elsewhere on the internet for comparison:

http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/NDG/BRKHank.html

 

[CityChicker]

How cool! There are some really rare natural color mutations in Canada Geese. That is probably what it was. If you google "Leucistic Canada" or "Blonde Canada", you will find some images of some of the mutations. They are a pretty rare sight.

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:
Oh heck there are 7 subspecies of the Canada Goose, 5 subspecies of the Cackling Goose that used to be considered part of the Canada Family because they look like Canadas and individual geese sometimes have differing colors. Both hybrids and mutants are known. So take you pick of theroies.

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

Quote:
Thanks! I'm not sure if it was the blonde, or the leucistic, but I'm thinking one or the other is definitely what I saw. Probably the leucistic, since it was enough difference to really catch my eye.