Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii), Mohave Valley, Mohave County

These Cackling Geese were found by Lauren Harter and David Vander Pluym on 05 February 2017 and  photographed by David Vander Pluym on 06 February 2017

These 4 Cackling Geese were part of a large flock of migrant Canada Geese and appear to represent two subspecies, 3 (top 3 photos) of the Richardson's (B. h. hutchinsii) and 1 (bottom photo) of the Aleutian (B. h. leucopareia).

Rare winter visitor. The Aleutian subspecies is a casual but appears to be annual visitor to Arizona.

Cackling Geese are separated from Canada Geese by smaller size, shorter neck, and proportionately shorter bill with a steeper forehead. The consistently flat head top giving an angular head shape, "step-mark" on the cheek, and overall pale color combine to indicate Richardson's. The Aleutian is distinguished by a prominent gray-white neck collar with dark lower border (found occasionally on all forms but far more prevalent and thicker in Aleutian), moderately small bill, "square" forehead, bold pale edgings to the coverts, and dark brown breast.

06 February 2017, photo by David Vander Pluym