Cackling vs. Canada Goose

[Gord]

Recently the Canada goose Branta canadensis, with about 11 distinct subspecies, was split into two species. The big common goose you see at local parks that struts proudly around and threatens you for handouts has remained Canada goose (7 subspecies of Canada goose B. canadensis). The little, what was then, subspecies of Canada goose has been changed to cackling goose B. hutchinsii. This species group (containing 4 subspecies) is mostly a tundra nesting species and thus is most often seen during migration and in the winter while the big guys have a population that stay year round and, consequently, drop nasty surprises on the path year round too.

I have dug up some images of the two species to compare them with. Some, including most of the cackling geese, were taken recently at Sardis Pond in Chilliwack. The pictures arent that great, but maybe that's good as they might more accurately represent what you'd see when out in the field struggling around in a ditch trying to see the bird rather than admiring a great crisp and clear photograph on a calender hung on the wall in your kitchen. ;D Ok, enough justification.

This image is the smallest of the 4 in the cackling group. Not much larger than a mallard! Very difficult to confuse it with a Canada Goose.





A Canada goose in a similar pose.



The ones following are from Sardis Pond, and are the ones I most often see. I suspect they are the 'Aleutian' cackling goose. From my studies, a large white neck ring seems to be a common fieldmark, but only 30% of what I see in the area seem to have it.



Here is a Canada goose in similar posture for comparison. Note longer bill and neck.



Here is a group of cackling and canada geese together to see the size difference. Sadly they are not standing right together, but even though the cacklings are closer to the camera, they are still obviously smaller and the bills are smaller too.



Here is a group of cackling on the pond. You can see three with neck bands (I should mention Ive seen big Canadas with neck bands on occassion) One is fairly dark breasted, but variability is common as well as hybridization. The duck on the right is a female northern shoveler to give some scale.



A Canada goose swimming for comparison.



A great link that talks about the difference between the two as well as details on the subspecies can be found here. You will see that there are some greyish areas that need more study.

www.sibleyguides.com/canada_cackling.htm

[Gord]

I have been looking closely at geese lately. Mostly because Im starting to second guess myself as there are not often any reports of cackling geese anywhere in the Lower Mainland when usually I see a small flock each time Im at Cheam Lake and often see them at Sardis Pond. At least I strongly believe this is what I'm seeing.

The ones I saw today (light was too poor for pictures) were in flocks that stuck to themselves. There were even two off on their own that came and joined the bigger flock. Male and female were apparent by their size. A couple had white neck bands but most didnt. This leads me to think maybe (aside from the minima sub-species of cackling goose which is fairly simple) Im looking at the taverneri sub-species if the map in the above link is accurate. The Alaska ones are not as common, possibly out of range here and seem to consistantly have neck bands.

Might be fun to study them a bit more and share what we find.