Falkland Islands Upland Goose? This one has strange markings. (1 Viewer)

[Garrulous Jay]

Anyone care to comment on this bird seen on Saunders Island (The Neck) in January of this year. I think its an Upland goose but that rufous breast band is reminiscent of a Ashy-headed.

 

[njlarsen]

Never been there, but my FG for Argentina mentions that the subspecies of Upland in the Falklands have some special forms when young. Might just be that.
Niels

 

[RyanI]

Its dirty feathers on an upland goose. The males fight each other, often covering themselves in blood from deep wounds. This bird looks like its the blood dried up on the feathers

 

[Garrulous Jay]

Ok, thanks for that, Ryani

 

[Alan henry]

As RyanI said it is just dirty feathers.

I lived in the Falkland Islands for 35 years and saw many strange Upland Geese over the years.