Canada/Cackling Comparison

[Dave]

I was at Cheam Wetlands this afternoon and took this picture to compare the Canada Goose with the Cackling Goose. I have been meaning for some time to go and study the two. Is this a Canada Goose (Common with last year's young) or are the short necked guys Cackling?)



Here is a close up the smaller Goose. Sibleys talks about a very short bill, dark breast with purplish sheen. Doesn't match this picture much, but this goose is distinctly short necked compared with the other swimming around. Are Cackling Geese even around this time of year? Advice please.



A few other shots from this afternoon. The usual species were present at the wetlands.

[Gord]

Dave

I think those are all Canada geese. The two behind the bigger one could be females, or even a different race or mix of two. Or they may be cackling. Their necks are sure short, but their bodies look a bit large. I saw a large flock of cackling geese at Sardis Pond in mid Feb. I got some good pictures I havnt had a chance to share yet. Check the link below. There's some pictures there as well as a link to a webpage that explores this topic.

www.bcbirding.proboards3.com/index.cgi?board=identification&action=display&n=1&thread=860

Nice pictures!

[Deleted]

I am by no means very knowledgeable about these white-cheeked geese, but I'll comment anyway.

We were seeing small groups of similar light-chested, "middle-sized," shorter-necked forms, some with white collar at neck base, in Langley for a while recently, and I was wondering if they could be larger Cackling (Richardson's). Definitely weren't minima or leucoparia.

But then I noticed a posting on Tweeters the other day where someone had photos of what looked to me to be similar geese and were calling them smaller Canada's (parvipes). I think this could well be what they were and probably what the one in the photo here is also.

But I'm trying to learn more than trying to shed light.

[Gord]

I think you might be right, Stan.

There were 6 cackling geese at Sardis Pond today. I dont know enough for the subspecies, unless it is minima ss, the real small and dark one.

I have some good pictures of what I suspect is the leucoparia (alaskan) but apparently they are quite rare, but of course, not impossible. Will post soon in the identification section for more comments.