Thanks, Larry.

 From the winter range, it would seem that either this was one cackling 
goose individual blown way off course (and therefore pretty rare in 
these parts?) or it was a very small Canada.  Cornell gives the winter 
range of the cackling goose as no further east than western Louisana.

Can anyone tell me what our MD records imply about the chances of seeing 
a cackling goose in Montgomery County at this time?

Gary Ender
Bethesda MD


Larry Hitchens wrote:

>Gary,
>
>     While I also like to refer to Sibley's from time to time
>A "Drawing" sometimes does not depict the subtle differences
>That a photograph can so I refer to the Cornel Ornithology website
>Here's a link to the Cackling goose on that site.
>http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Cackling_Goose.html
>                   Larry Hitchens
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Maryland Birds & Birding [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
>Behalf Of Gary Ender (home)
>Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2008 11:11 AM
>To: 
>Subject: [MDOSPREY] ID help: Cackling goose?
>
>Yesterday we visited Blue Mash Nature Trail just before dusk.  On the 
>pond there was one very small goose that in my 2003 Sibley would have 
>been a Richardson's based on size.  We viewed it in good light and from 
>not far away.  It was the size of a large duck, and the neck was much 
>shorter than that of a normal Canada.  We observed it swimming and 
>walking.  It did not make any sound.  The only other bird in the area 
>was a Great Blue Heron.  My own guess about the bill is that it was of 
>the same proportions as a Canada, while my wife, who is very observant 
>but does not claim to be a birder, thought it was stubbier.
>
>Does size alone make this now a Cackling Goose?  Does location and time 
>of year add any value?
>
>I found a web page by Sibley that started to list the identification 
>issues, but they are quite complex and neither my Yellowbook nor my 
>Sibley book is any help here.  Expert guidance appreciated.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Gary Ender
>Bethesda MD
>
>
>  
>