We asked for help identifying this white goose photographed among the Canada geese by Psychology Professor Judy Nichols, Ph.D.

Biology Professor Tony Rothering replied: “The Canada Goose that Judy took a picture of appears to be leucistic. Leucism can be expressed in different ways: almost entirely white or with varying amounts of white patches. In my opinion, this goose is not a true albino. More than likely, it is not an escapee from the zoo. A few years ago, I saw a similar goose on LLCC’s lake.”

Political Science Professor Chris McDonald, Ph.D. noted, “The ‘white goose’ has been resident in the area around the zoo for a couple of years. It is a ‘mutt,’ some sort of escaped domesticated goose that has escaped and now lives free! I first took pictures of it nearly three years ago. The brown color around its neck is staining of the feathers from the water/mud. There are sometimes single snow geese (or sometimes the less common Ross’s Geese) around with the resident Canada geese, but this is not one.”

Now we’ll know if we spot this interesting creature. Thank you Judy, Tony and Chris!