October 16th 2007. Campus Pond, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA.
(Greenland) White-fronted Goose Anser alibfrons flavirostris.
Richardson's Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii hutchinsii.(2)

Thanks to a prompt post to Massbird from Gina Martel, Susannah and I decided to walk from home across Amherst to enjoy good close views of this White-fronted Goose showing characteristics of the Greenland form flavirostris. In addition, last Saturday's Cackling Goose was still present with another bird detected towards the end of the afternoon. Sorting through the 400 or so tightly packed Canada Geese for these wasn't particularly easy, the Cacklers being readily lost amongst them. A juvenile Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was also present in willows by the pond.

Images taken using Canon Powershot A540 through Swarovski HD telescope.

(Greenland) White-fronted Goose Anser alibfrons flavirostris. Shows dark uniform, rather 'oily', upperparts with narrow pale fringes.
Very narrow (almost absent) white flank stripe and long, yellowish-orange bill are among some of the features associated with 'flavirostris'.

Richardson's Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii hutchinsii. This bird has a rather broad white cheek patch.

Richardson's Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii hutchinsii.(Center). Second bird discovered late in the afternoon.

cackling goose from october 13th 2007 >>
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