Cackling Goose, Branta hutchinsii
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![]() Cackling Geese were once classified as the two smallest subspecies of the Canada Goose, but more recently were recognized as a separate species. The bird above is minima, the smallest subspecies; note the rounded head and absence of neck ring. The one below is Aleutian (leucopareia) -- slightly larger, and note the neck ring, slightly longer bill, and especially the blocky shape of the head. |
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![]() The bird above is a minima -- note the dark breast and underparts, as well as the small bill and absence of a neck ring. Below, a flying Aleutian, identified by the neck ring, flying in at sunset in the California Central Valley, one of thousands of birds of this subspecies I watched come home to roost there in the late fall of 2014. |
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![]() Below, several Aleutians of the California Central Valley group described just above, coming in to their overnight roost in a harvested corn field. | |
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![]() Above, a swimming Cackling Goose of the Aleutian subpecies; below, the same bird looks to be launching a David/Goliath sneak attack from the rear one of two much bigger Canada Geese. | |
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