Hi John:
Unfortunately, size alone is not diagnostic for Cackling Goose since there
can be some fairly small Canada Geese. Field marks details such as head and
bill shape and plumage coloration are necessary for a finding of Cackling
Goose. "Richardson's" Cackling Goose would be the expected form to show up,
although some of the other forms are also possibilities. If you see them
again, please let MD Osprey know since we still do not have a record of
Cackling for DC. Photographs would be great, too.
There are a number of good references on the web ... here are some of them ...
http://www.oceanwanderers.com/CAGO.Subspecies.html
http://www.sibleyguides.com/canada_cackling.htm
http://www.utahbirds.org/RecCom/NewGoose.htm
http://www.schmoker.org/BirdPics/CACG_CANG.html
http://www.idahobirds.net/identification/white-cheeked/subspecies.html
http://www.ohiobirds.org/news.php?News_ID=134
Thanks. I hope you can nail one down for DC for us!
Phil
At 15:45 12/15/2005, John Sherwood wrote:
>Spotted a group on the Potomac today at 0800 neat the Lincoln Memorial.
>I've seen this same group before near the Kennedy Center at about the same
>time. Their size in relationship to Canada Geese (also seen) indicates
>that they are probably cackling geese.
===================================================
Phil Davis, Secretary
MD/DC Records Committee
2549 Vale Court
Davidsonville, Maryland 21035 USA
301-261-0184
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MD/DCRC Web site: http://www.MDBirds.org/mddcrc/rcindex.html
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