Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii), Cibola NWR, La Paz County

These Cackling Geese, representing two different subspecies, were found and photographed by David Vander Pluym on 02 February 2015

Rare visitor but likely annual at Cibola NWR in the large Canada Goose flocks there.

Both were much smaller than the nearby Canada Geese, and showed a relatively short neck and a short stubby bill. The head was blocky with a steep forehead. The first individual (first two photos) appears to be an Aleutian Cackling Goose (B. h. leucopareia). In particular note the dark breast and white neck ring bordered by dark below, and the slight bump to the forehead. On the second individual (last two photos) the breast was light colored indicating a possible Richardson's (B. h. hutchinsii), however Taverner's (B. h. taverneri) is more expected in western Arizona and is likely not ruled out by these photos.

02 February 2015, photo by David Vander Pluym

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