Hi Gary, et al.
Richardson's Cackling Goose is annual in Maryland has been recorded
in virtually every county. The taxonomy of the "white-cheeked geese"
complex was updated several years and more changes are expected.
There are a number of other good references on the web ... here's
Dave Sibley's web page, which is more detailed than his field guide,
and includes a nice map at the end ...
http://www.sibleyguides.com/canada_cackling.htm
Hope this helps ...
Phil
At 18:41 11/30/2008, Gary Ender (home) wrote:
>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
>>
>>
>>
>
>===================================================
>Phil Davis, Secretary
>MD/DC Records Committee
>2549 Vale Court
>Davidsonville, Maryland 21035 USA
>301-261-0184
>mailto:[log in to unmask]
>
>MD/DCRC Web site: http://www.MDBirds.org/mddcrc/rcindex.html
>=================================================== |