Bill et al
   
  One of the Cackling Geese present at Black Hills 2 (or perhaps 3?) winters ago had a noticeable white half-collar, but as far as I can remember the breast was quite pale.  It was in a family group with 3 other birds that lacked the half-collar.
   
  Regards
   
  Clive

Bill Hubick <> wrote:
  Hi Bob, 

According to BNA, the hutchinsii subspecies has "seldom even a hint of white collar as in B. c. leucopareia and B. c. minima." 

Nice find--maybe I'll try to get out there and document the bird after work tomorrow. 

Thanks,

Bill

Bill Hubick 
Pasadena, Maryland 
 
http://www.billhubick.com 


----- Original Message ---- 
From: Bob Ringler 
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Carroll Co. Birds 11/6/07 

I made a stop at Cranberry Reservoir near Westminster today: 

CACKLING GOOSE 1, with a prominent white half ring at the bottom of the neck contrasting with the black neck and dark gray breast (same color as the back). Could be subspecies minima or leucopareia but I don't know if this plumage can occur in hutchinsii.