White Canada goose spotted in Winnipeg park

It isn't a snow goose, and it isn't albino, but aCanada goose spotted in Winnipeg last weekend is definitely white.

Radio-Canada'sChristianne Hacault was inJohn ForsythPark last Sunday when she noticed an anomaly in the crowd of geeseforaging in a field.

At first glance, itlooks like an albino Canada goose; it has the characteristic black head and body shape.But Christian Artusowith Bird Studies Canada says appearances can be deceiving.

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"This is a partially leucistic Canada goose technically not analbino," Artuso says."They are not common at all but we do see them every once in a while."

Leucismoccurs when there is a "partial loss of pigment or loss of some pigments in some body parts," Artuso says.That's why in the goose pictured the honker retains its black neck and head, but its body is white.

Inalbino individuals, a complete loss of melanin leads tobirds that are completely white,lack their normal colours and havered eyes.

As fall migration ramps up, it's a great time for Manitoba birders tohead out to places likeFort Whyte Alive and Oak Hammock Park.

"The odds are small," Artuso says, "but you might get lucky" and see one of these genetic rarities in flight.