cackling goose (Branta hutchinsii)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION

• Medium-sized to small goose.

• Black head.

• Bill small and triangular.

• Long, black neck.

• White chinstrap.

• Light tan to brown breast feathers.

• Brownish back.

• White undertail

Immature:

• Juvenile similar to adult

Similar Species:

• Canada goose nearly identical, but larger, and with proportionately           larger bill.

• The blue form of the snow goose has an all-white head.

• Brant has a dark chest and white limited to the neck, not the cheek.

• The rare barnacle goose has an entirely white face, a black breast, and              a gray and black barred back.

• Canada goose X domestic goose hybrids have a wide variety of differ-          ent markings, including extended white on head, red on bill,and red            legs.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status:
Breeding Habitat: Breeds in coastal marshes, along tundra ponds and
streams, and steep turf slopes above rocky shores.
Nest Location: Usually placed on slightly elevated sites near water. Some
cliff nesting.
Nest Type: Nest a large open cup made of dry grasses, lichens, and mosses,
lined with down and some body feathers.
Clutch Size: 2–8 eggs
Length of Incubation:
Days to Fledge:
Number of Broods:
Diet: Entirely herbivorous; eats variety of plant species and parts, especially  

   grasses, sedges, grain, and berries. Grazes on grass. Tips up to reach aquatic

   vegetation. Feeds in flocks in fields.

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May
      Su - Summer: June, July, August
      Fall: September, October, November Acc

      Winter: December, January, February

 

 

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