Ducks, Geese & Swans of North America by Frank C. Bellrose
(earlier edition by F. H. Kortright) has some useful information
about Canada Goose subspecies (11 different), but it is not
particularly good for field  ID.  The dimension data for each
subspecies include weight and lengths of bill, wing, tail, and
tarsus; but overall length is given only for 3 subspecies
(interior, western, and Taverner's).  The sizes of the subspecies
are as follows, largest to smallest: giant, western, Vancouver,
dusky, interior, Atlantic, lesser, Taverner's, Aleutian,
Richardson's, and cackling.  Five subspecies are illustrated in a
painting, with some descriptive differences.  The stubbiness of
the bills is apparent for lesser, Aleutian, and cackling.  Breast
and belly plumage coloration is distinctive (darker) for Western
and cackling.

The distribution and migration patterns of "small races" and
"large and medium races" are shown in two maps for North America.
Then 12 area populations are described and shown on a map,
including Mid-Atlantic and North Atlantic (both relevant to MD).
The North Atlantic population is mostly the Atlantic race; it
centers on the Canadian maritime provinces, with a thin tail down
to Delmarva.  The Mid-Atlantic population is mostly the interior
race, with some Atlantic and giant thrown in; it occurs in Quebec
province, NY, VT, NH, PA, MD west of the bay, VA, and WV.

This book is common in used bookstores.  (Mine is 2nd edition,
2nd printing, 1978).

Bill Ellis
Eldersburg
Carroll County


-----Original Message-----
From: David Mozurkewich
Sent: July 22, 2004 9:49 PM
Subject: Goose Subspecies of Maryland

Is there a good reference for identifying the subspecies of
Canada Goose?
Does anyone know which subspecies of Canada Goose occur in
Maryland and
what are the relative abundances?
...