As spring unfolds, a uniquely bonded pair of geese has captured the attention of birdwatchers near Portland, Oregon, showcasing a story of love and loss across species lines.
At Blue Lake Regional Park, located along the Columbia River in Fairview, park rangers discovered a nesting Canada goose early in the season. This goose, easily identifiable by its large size, black beak, and vibrant black-and-white face, was accompanied by a less common companion.
The other goose guarding the nest stood out with its smaller stature, grayish-brown plumage, yellow beak, and white face, prompting curiosity among rangers.
William McDonald, a park ranger conducting a routine inspection, noted the unusual pairing.
“It piqued my interest,” McDonald remarked.
Upon further investigation, he contacted wildlife specialists at Metro, the agency overseeing the park, to identify the second goose. It was confirmed to be a greater white-fronted goose, a different species than the nesting Canada goose that it was fiercely defending.
Despite belonging to distinct species, the two geese formed an unusual bond and even produced eggs together.
The reasons behind the white-fronted goose’s choice to stay in the park remain unclear, as members of its species typically migrate farther north during the breeding season. Robert Wilson, a zoology research associate professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, suggested that the goose may have either been stranded due to an injury or may have been raised by Canada geese.
Wilson explained that Canada geese and white-fronted geese can exhibit parasitic behavior, where a female lays her eggs in another species’ nest. This strategy enables the female to ensure the survival of at least one egg in the event her own nest fails.
Bird hybridization, the process where animals of different species produce offspring together, is a fascinating phenomenon that can occur under specific biological conditions.
A classic example includes the mating of male donkeys and female horses, resulting in a mule. However, the occurrence of hybrids can vary and is indeed a delightful sight for birders.
“Just to be able to witness the actual pair themselves,” Wilson commented about the goose couple.
“(If they can) actually successfully reproduce — I mean, it’s quite unique. I’m kind of jealous that you guys get to see it.”
The interaction between species, particularly in birds, has increasingly been influenced by environmental factors, such as climate change and human alterations to their habitats.
Kathryn Grabenstein, a postdoctoral fellow at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, noted that human activities can shift the dynamics between species. For example, in Boulder, Colorado, her research on chickadees shows how planting ornamental trees and installing bird feeders can draw different species, such as black-capped and mountain chickadees, into direct contact with one another.
The agricultural habits of geese, which primarily eat grass, might explain why the white-fronted goose was drawn to Blue Lake Regional Park. The abundant food source and the attention of a potential mate could have encouraged this union.
As local birders began watching the nesting couple in May, they reported that two of the six eggs had hatched. However, the anticipated goslings were nowhere to be found.
“All we know is there were shell fragments enough to be two eggs’ worth,” said Katy Weil, senior natural resource scientist for Metro.
Unfortunately, the remaining four eggs failed to hatch, and examinations revealed they had not been fertilized.
Weil explained that it’s not unusual for geese to experience a bad batch of eggs and reassured the public that there remains potential for the geese to try again in the near future.
“So many people who love the park are keeping an eye out for them, rooting for them,” Weil stated, affirming that park rangers share the same sentiments.
Geese typically form lifelong bonds with their partners, and regardless of their success in raising goslings, the unusual couple is likely to remain devoted to one another.
This touching narrative of interspecies companionship continues to intrigue birders and reinforces the complex dynamics of wildlife in natural settings.
image source from：https://www.knkx.org/environment/2025-05-30/an-unusual-pairing-of-geese-draws-a-gaggle-of-portland-area-birders
