Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii), Crystal Gardens Parkey, Maricopa County

This Cackling Goose was discovered and photographed by Tommy DeBardeleben at Crystal Gardens Parkway in Avondale.

Rare but annual winter visitor in Arizona.

Markedly smaller than many surrounding Canada Geese, not much larger than Mallard. Short bill, steep forehead, consistently flat head top, and overall pale color combine to indicate B. h. hutchinsii (= Richardson's Cackling Goose.). Other subspecies of Cackling Geese have different head shapes and usually darker breasts.

10 February 2013, photo by Tommy DeBardeleben

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