Attention, Snow Goose Molt Strategists!

["Kristin Purdy" <kristinpurdy at comcast dot net>]

I visited Kaysville Ponds in Davis County this afternoon and came across 
an interesting Snow Goose, which brought up a question for Snow Geese 
aficionados.  Let me lay the groundwork first.  

The goose was a juvenile Snow Goose with a bit more stylish look than 
your average young bird.  I thought the goose was molting into adult 
plumage.  The typical juvenile features were present--slanting dusky 
stripe through the eye, wide dusky stripe down the back of the neck, 
generally dusky upperparts, and pinkish-gray bill and feet.  However, 
the bird sported a brilliant snowy white fan of scapulars over its dusky 
juvenile scaps, lending a bit of an exotic look.  

Sibley indicates that Snow Geese wear juvenal plumage Aug-Jan.  This 
young goose's appearance is probably normal for this time of year 
(especially due to the pinkish bare parts), but since we don't see the 
species that often in the winter (classified as an Occasional Winter 
bird on the Utah checklist), we also don't get to see interesting 
half-n'-half plumages very frequently. 

But wait--there's still more!  I reviewed Cornell's BNA online species 
account for the Snow Goose's molt strategy, and I came across a tidbit I 
find surprising.  Cornell says that young Snow Geese become increasingly 
white over their first year due to wear.  The account doesn't address 
molt at all.  I don't believe the goose I saw could possibly have only 
pure white scapulars and few other white parts (except the 
underparts--they were white, as is appropriate for juveniles) unless it 
was due to molt.  Is there a Snow Goose molt strategist out there who 
can confirm that this juvenile goose was likely molting?

I saw another interesting goose at Kaysville Ponds in addition to the 
Snow.  The second goose was a Canada sporting a yellow neck collar with 
the black alphanumeric characters TE30.  That color/letter combination 
indicates the bird was locally bred at Farmington Bay WMA.  I've 
reported the goose both to Rich Hansen, manager of Farmington, and to 
the Patuxent Bird Banding Laboratory in Maryland.

Other species present at the ponds this afternoon included American 
Wigeon, Mallards, a pair of Redheads, three Ring-necked Ducks, a pair of 
Lesser Scaup, a handful of Common Goldeneyes, and a Pied-billed Grebe. 

To reach Kaysville Ponds, take I-15 to exit 328 and turn east.  Drive 
1/2 mile to Main Street and turn right (south).  Drive south 3 blocks 
and bear right on 50th West.  Drive south approximately 1/2 mile and 
you'll see the ponds on your right, sandwiched between the road you're 
on and the interstate. 

Kris

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