Comments on: Distinguishing Cackling and Canada Goose

By: Brad Stewart

Brad Stewart — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:04:02 +0000

Thanks for the excellent article. I’m going to dazzle my hunting buddies with my new found knowledge this afternoon!

By: Russell Jenkins

Russell Jenkins — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 10:03:30 +0000

Hello. I have just done a posted some photos on my blog trying to distinguish which Canada Goose I encountered in Japan in October 2010. I would be grateful for any observations. It seems likely to be Cackling but I will need study this fine article carefully.

By: karelina

karelina — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 20:57:48 +0000

How about some pics of each subspecies with identifying characteristics noted?

By: Gord Gadsden

Gord Gadsden — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 05:00:00 +0000

Hi David, excellent article. I have referred to it frequently. I thought you might be interested in the influx of Cackling Geese to the Upper Fraser Valley east of Vancouver, B.C. Canada. This started fairly recently within the last five years and has been increasing. These birds will remain all winter before leaving typically around early March. I have birded the area for my whole life and I have never seen these amounts of Cackling Geese nor has anyone else. Links to photos and more information below.

http://bcbirding.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=reports&action=display&thread=2619

http://bcbirding.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=reports&action=display&thread=1808

Keep up the great work!

By: David Sibley

David Sibley — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 11:14:35 +0000

Shirley, White Canada Geese do occur as a result of abnormal pigmentation (albino or leucistic) but it would be unusual to see five together. If these five pale birds were staying together as a group among the Canada Geese, then I suspect they were Snow Geese. The bill and leg color (pink on Snow, black on Canada) would distinguish those species.

By: David Sibley

David Sibley — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 11:11:27 +0000

Ross, According to what I can find on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website, white neck collars have been used on the large "Western" subspecies of Canada Goose (B. c. moffitti). Dusky Canada Geese are marked with red neck collars. There's a lot of variation in color across the range of moffitti, so presumably you are seeing darker individuals of that subspecies. A true Dusky should look smaller as well as darker, but identification in the field is very diffficult.

By: Shirley Hiebert

Shirley Hiebert — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 16:49:25 +0000

I live along the BC coast of Vancouver and White Rock and recently saw a flock of Canada Geelse. Among them were five white/cream colored ones, I assummed they were white canada geese. am i wrong? or is there such a thing.

By: Ross P. Barkhurst

Ross P. Barkhurst — Sun, 30 May 2010 23:53:50 +0000

Dave: Here in Willapa Bay, SW washington coast, flocks of what appear to be the off limits dusky canada geese frequently have several members with white neck collars. What does this signify?

By: David Sibley

David Sibley — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 15:42:37 +0000

It’s impossible to say without photos. The size and bill size of Canada and Cackling geese overlaps, so judging the differences is subjective. In addition, females are smaller than males, birds with poor diet when they were young end up smaller than well-nourished birds, and size varies regionally. Finally, neck length and apparent bill size can change a lot depending on the birds posture. Based on location a small Canada is much more likely, but Cackling is possible.

By: Paul Hackett

Paul Hackett — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 21:53:00 +0000

Dear Dave,
I have just come in from birding in Boston where I was looking at a flock of 5 Canada Geese. However. one of the geese had a smaller overall appearance, a shorter neck and stubbier bill that almost looked Eider-like in its shape when compared to the other 4 birds. I could not see any neck ring and the colouring looked pretty similar. Is this likely to be a small Canada or a Cackling?

Many thanks,
Paul