Small Canada Geese in MD

Miliff (Miliff@aol.com)
Mon, 16 Mar 1998 22:54:02 EST 

Hello all,

       This past winter I spent a lot of time looking at small Canada Geese in
Maryland.  In Colorado, while returning from field work in Mexico I was
afforded the opportunity to study them some more.  Most recently, Don Henise
and I have discussed the problem a bit via email, pursuant to his report of a
couple "Richardson's" Geese among a Snow Goose flock at Middle Run W.M.A. in
PA.  I would like to hear the ideas and observations of some other Marylanders
(or Virginians, Pennsylvanians etc...) concerning these birds in MD and the
East in general.

	I had looked casually for these birds in past years, but never so diligently
as this year.  Prior to this year I had seen several at Westinghouse Pond, AA
County, in November; three flying birds in a large flock on the Kent County
CBC; and distant birds in both HA and CE counties.  None of these birds were
close or seen well, however, and size and structure (short neck, stubby bill)
were the only characters I used to identify them.  
 
	My first small Canada Goose this year was found by Jim Stasz Nov. 4 when he,
Ed Boyd, and I were birding the Eastern Shore (looking for Ross's Geese
especially).  We saw it a couple miles NE of Denton Sewage Plant in Caroline
County (a first county record).  I was immediately struck by its pale gray
cast to its back, which contrasted markedly with the darker, browner backs of
the surrounding Canadas (both large and medium sized).  Since then I have seen
a number of small Canadas in MD (see list below) and all (to varying degrees)
have shown the pale gray cast to the back.  All have also appeared to be of
the same size and proportions.  I have also noted that about half have had
partial neck rings (most obvious when neck is stretched) and all have had pale
breasts that, in many, have been noticeably paler than those of the
medium/large Canadas.  Finally, the cheek patches of all have all been larger
and whiter than on the average medium/large Canada.  

	In reference to several sources (the most useful of which was Palmer's
Waterfowl book), the pale back and other characters point to Richardson's
Goose (_B. c. hutchinsii_).  In Colorado and Kansas this year I saw numerous
other birds which matched these characters and were also presumably
_hutchinsii_ (including several flocks in KS which contained either no other
species/morphs or associated, interestingly, with White-fronted Geese).  In
Colorado I also saw one single bird, associating with larger Canadas (not
_hutchinsii_) which was quite different from the _hutchinsii_ I've seen in MD
and CO.  Its back was about the same tone as those of the nearby Canadas, and
it was noticeably smaller, shorter necked, and smaller billed than
_hutchinsii_ I've seen.  Most noticeable was its dark breast, which had almost
coppery tones to some feathers, but which contrasted with all other Canadas
I've seen, and contrasted especially with the typically paler breast seen on
_hutchinsii_.  I am certain this was a "Cackling" Goose (_B.c.minima_). 

	While one to several "small" Canada Geese are reported with annually in
Maryland, few are identified to subspecies.  From my observations this season,
it seems that A) small Canadas are more common than previously thought and B)
almost all are of the race _B.c. hutchinsii_.  One exception to B) above is
the November 1994 report by Jim Stasz and Bob Ringler of a "Cackling" Canada
Goose (_B.c. minima_) among a Snow Goose flock (with a Ross's Goose) near Snow
Hill, WO County.  Jim took several photos which he has since misplaced.  Since
all my Richardson's Geese this year were with Canada flocks, I must wonder
whether _minima_ is more likely among Snow Goose flocks.  Don Henise has told
me that his report of "Richardson's" among Snows several weeks ago at Middle
Run was based primarily on his assumption that that is the expected race.  But
he reports that the birds were  "dark chested", which suggests _minima_.
Apparently photos were taken, but unfortunately, the photos may have been lost
by the developers.

	My sightings this year were as follows (I do not have dates handy for all
sightings, but all were late October 1997-late January 1998) and all except
the DO county sighting matched _hutchinsii_.  Several were first known county
records.  County abbreviations are those used in the "Yellow Book".

	1 near Denton, CN County, Nov. 4
	1 near Queenstown, QA County, late October
	2 near Queenstown, QA County, Oct. 31
	1 at Brown's Station Landfill, PG County, late October
	2 at pond near Lothian, AA County, Nov. 23-29
	2 near Knoxville, FR County, late November
	1 distant flying bird near Linkwood, DO County, mid-November
	1 near Rising Sun, CE County, Mid-January
	1 at Loch Raven Res., BA County, Jan. 6 
	1 off Rte. 5, CH County, mid-December
	1 off Rte. 13, SO County, mid-January
	1 off Rte. 13, WI County (same as above?), mid-January
	
	My questions to those on MDOsprey are these:

	A) Have others seen small Canada Geese in the Region?
	B) Have plumage differences been noted or subspecific identifications been
made?
	C) What species (Canada, Snow, or other) have the birds associated with?
	D) Have others seen groups of more than two birds?

 	Best,

    	Marshall Iliff
	miliff@aol.com	
	Annapolis, MD