Ross's Goose (Anser rossii)

Ross's Goose was removed 31 Mar 1990

Accepted Records

One 1981-07 (formerly 82-24) shot by a hunter 5 miles northwest of Johnsons Bayou, Cameron Parish on 22 December 1981 (LSUMZ 104012); one (82-40) seen at Hackberry Ridge, Cameron Parish on 19 December 1982 (VR*; TP*).

One (1982-64) on (no exact date) 1982, Cameron: no further data; (LSUMZ 104821; John J. Morony*).

One 1983-11 (formerly 84-23) at Hackberry Ridge, two miles WSW Johnsons Bayou, Cameron Parish, on 18 December 1983 (VR).

Three adults 1987-06 (formerly 88-5) on 25 Dec. 1987, Jefferson Davis along Interstate 10, 10 mi. W Jennings; Paul Lehman, Shawneen Finnegan (Muth 1988, p. 275).

Two adults (1988-02) on 16 Jan. 1988, Acadia: 5 mi. SE Morse; John Bates, J. V. Remsen, Peter Scott.

One adult (1988-03) on 16 Jan. 1988, Acadia: ca 5 mi. SE Morse; Peter Scott, J. V. Remsen, JB. Muth (1988, p. 275) reported #88-3 but did not mention #88-2.

Four (including one immature and two adults) (1989-163) on 19 Dec. 1989, Acadia: SE of Crowley, E of Hwy. 13 (1-3 mi. SE Crowley between Crowley and Ebenezer); John P. Sevenair. AB 44(2):280 does not specify this particular record. Ross’s Goose was removed from the Review List on 31 Mar. 1990 (Dittmann 1995); this record pre-dates removal.

One in first basic plumage (1990-21) on 3 Jan 1990, Cameron: 6 mi. SE of Lake Arthur (Klondike area); Vincent Sonnier (LSUMZ 152306, Steven W. Cardiff*, skeleton).


Unaccepted Records

Eleven adults (89-76) on 4 Mar. 1989, Caddo: near Dixie; Charles E. Lyon, JM, HJ, LR (AB 43: 3(495). Ross' Goose was removed from the Review List on 31 Mar. 1990. Although identification, especially at long distances and for inexperienced observers, is not a trivial matter, and Ross' X Snow goose hybrids are known (Trauger et al. 1971), heavier coverage of the rice growing areas of southwestern Louisiana indicates that modest numbers of this species are regularly present in winter in large flocks of Snow Geese. Observations away from southwestern Louisiana or from other seasons should still be documented and submitted to LSUMNS.

One adult (89-75) on 29 Jan. 1989, Cameron: NE corner of parish on Hwy 717.

One bird (89-94) on 4 Mar. 1989, Jefferson Davis: approx. 1 mi. W of the intersection of Hwys.99 and 14. Although all Members believed that the birds involved in these two records were probably correctly identified, both records were accompanied by only brief and vague descriptions. For example, for record 89-75, the observer did not note (or possibly observe) bill characteristics, especially whether the bird lacked a "grinning” patch. All Members agreed that record 89-94 should be considered unacceptable because bill characteristics were not discussed. A runt Snow Goose (c. caerulescens) or a Snow X Ross's goose hybrid could not be eliminated in either case.

One (1989-18) on 16 Dec 1989, Cameron: Sabine NWR headquarters. The description included only size relative to Snow Goose without any additional supporting details to eliminate the possibility of a runt Snow Goose or Ross’s X Snow goose hybrid.