Ross's Goose in Whitby

Adult Ross's Goose among the hundreds of Canada Geese on the playing fields near the harbour in Whitby east of Toronto on 4 March 2012. Smaller than the Canada Goose, it is also smaller than the Lesser Snow Goose.

On Ross's Goose, the feathers of the cheek meet the base of the bill forming a straight line top to bottom rather than a forward arc as on a Snow Goose. It has a shorter stubbier bill than a Snow Goose and does not have a grinning patch. At the base of the bill, this Ross's Goose has purplish-grey caruncles or warty protuberances, which become more pronounced with age. Whitby on 4 March 2012.