MD Osprey:

On MD Osprey, we have sometimes waded into (really, just stuck our 
toe in the water) regarding the challenging issue of separating a 
Richardson's Cackling Goose (the expected Cackling Goose subspecies 
in this region) from a vagrant Lesser Canada Goose from the west.

As you may recall, when the AOU split Cackling Goose from Canada 
Goose, this pair of separated subspecies taxa (Richardson's Cackling 
vs. Lesser Canada) probably became the most difficult resulting ID 
challenge from the lot of all 11 subspecies, at least in our area. We 
have since had a few reports of Lesser Canada Goose in our region, 
but they have not been reviewed yet.

Anyway, Steve Mlodinow of Washington State posted the message below 
to the "Frontiers of Bird Identification" Listserver.

Here is a direct link to his great photo of a Richardson's Cackling 
Goose (Branta hutchinsii hutchinsii) and an apparent Lesser Canada 
Goose (B. canadensis parvipes) standing next to each other ...

         http://www.flickr.com/photos/36088296@N08/6546726213/in/photostream

Some of the other photos and identification tips found on his web 
page are also very informative ...

         http://www.flickr.com/photos/36088296@N08/

Remember, the AOU promised us that more splits from this 
"white-cheeked geese" complex could be forthcoming ... Daunting, eh?

Hope this helps ...

Happy Holidays to all!

Phil



>Date:         Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:29:08 -0500
>Reply-To:     Steven Mlodinow <>
>From:         Steven Mlodinow <>
>Subject: [BIRDWG01] White-cheeked Geese
>To:           
>
>Greetings All,
>
>I've posted some comparison shots of Richardson's (nominate) 
>Cackling Goose next to apparent Lesser Canada Goose (Bc parvipes) 
>and next to a Big Ugly Canada Goose (Bc moffitti/maxima).
>
>These can be viewed at http://www.flickr.com/photos/36088296@N08/
>
>Best Wishes and Good Cheer
>Steven Mlodinow

==================================
Phil Davis      Davidsonville, Maryland     USA
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