Taverner's Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii taverneri.
Spent a hour by the UMass Campus Pond this evening, some of the time with Frank Bowrys,and finding much the same selection of species as yesterday with no major changes. Of interest, the Cackling Goose, first seen on October 13th, was out on the grass lawn affording excellent views. This bird has a darker cast to the upperparts, lacking pearly-gray tones, and has a less 'blocky' head shape than most Richardson's that I've seen locally leading me to think about other possibilties. For example, can Taverner's Cackling Goose be ruled out? Or what about Lesser Canada Goose (B.c. parvipes)?
Update October 19th 2007. The last date on which the Taverner's Cackling Goose was observed (Brian Kane) at the UMass Campus pond. Brian also reported another Cackling Goose there along with the remaining Greater White-fronted Goose.
Steve Mlodinow has kindly offered to share some of his own images of Taverner's Cackling Geese from Washington State which can be viewed here.
Also, for reference, images of Richardson's Cackling Geese from;
Enfield, CT. February 2006.
Turner's Falls, MA. October 12th, 2006.
Amherst, MA. November 4th, 2006.
In addition I want to thank Larry Semo from Colorado who has kindly offered these comments;
Update: October 18th, 2007. With concerns over this bird's appearance, I contacted Steve Mlodinow from Washington State whom I know has a strong interest in 'white-cheeked' geese is currently co-authoring a high level article on their identification. Here's a summary of his commnets;
"this bird is nicely photographed and looks quite stereotypical for....
Taverner's Cackling Goose. The rather stout, almost Snow Goose like, bill is a classic feature that is really not shared with any other white-cheeked goose. The breast color is absolutely typical for that taxon. It also, for a Cackling Goose, looks relatively large and heavy bodied. The head shape is quite wrong for nominate [Richardson's] Cackler, the bill too hefty (among other things) for minima. Head shape not boxy enough for Aleut, bill too thick as well.
Parvipes, basically, have a Canada Goose shape. There are some birds that are tweeners, no doubt, but I think picking out a parvipes from some of the smaller eastern Canadas might be very, very difficult. They also tend to be rather white breasted, like nominate Cacklers.
So, this is a very nice find of a taverneri Cackling Goose in Massachusetts.
There is a nicely photographed bird from upstate NY. Off the top of my head, I can't remember other records that far east, though there are some from the midwest."
Thanks very much to Steve for his prompt reply and candid summary of Taverner's features.
Update October 19th 2007. The last date on which the Taverner's Cackling Goose was observed (Brian Kane) at the UMass Campus pond. Brian also reported another Cackling Goose there along with the remaining Greater White-fronted Goose.
Steve Mlodinow has kindly offered to share some of his own images of Taverner's Cackling Geese from Washington State which can be viewed here.
Also, for reference, images of Richardson's Cackling Geese from;
Enfield, CT. February 2006.
Turner's Falls, MA. October 12th, 2006.
Amherst, MA. November 4th, 2006.
In addition I want to thank Larry Semo from Colorado who has kindly offered these comments;
"Thanks for allowing me to take a peak at your pics. I would
most certainly say your bird fits that of a Taverner's and not any other
Cackling race.
Although I don't see many Taverner's (and I believe Steve Mlodinow
already has commented on his vast experience with that group), I do study a
lot of Richy's, and strongly believe that your bird does not fit into that
category.
Traits that are indicative of Taverner's that I see on your bird
include relatively large size (Richy's usually appear smaller overall,
especially when compared to the Canada's in the background of your pics),
the dark gray, smudgy underparts (not flashy white as in Richy's), the
"Roman-nosed" bill that is convex and relatively short (not concave as with
Richy's), and the triangular-shaped cheek patch, which although is not
definitive to race, is suggestive (although Steve will probably tell me that
means nothing). Richy's usually show a more oblong-lobed type of cheek
patch.
Just my thoughts. It is a great record for
Massachusetts!"
Update: October 18th, 2007. With concerns over this bird's appearance, I contacted Steve Mlodinow from Washington State whom I know has a strong interest in 'white-cheeked' geese is currently co-authoring a high level article on their identification. Here's a summary of his commnets;
"this bird is nicely photographed and looks quite stereotypical for....
Taverner's Cackling Goose. The rather stout, almost Snow Goose like, bill is a classic feature that is really not shared with any other white-cheeked goose. The breast color is absolutely typical for that taxon. It also, for a Cackling Goose, looks relatively large and heavy bodied. The head shape is quite wrong for nominate [Richardson's] Cackler, the bill too hefty (among other things) for minima. Head shape not boxy enough for Aleut, bill too thick as well.
Parvipes, basically, have a Canada Goose shape. There are some birds that are tweeners, no doubt, but I think picking out a parvipes from some of the smaller eastern Canadas might be very, very difficult. They also tend to be rather white breasted, like nominate Cacklers.
So, this is a very nice find of a taverneri Cackling Goose in Massachusetts.
There is a nicely photographed bird from upstate NY. Off the top of my head, I can't remember other records that far east, though there are some from the midwest."
Thanks very much to Steve for his prompt reply and candid summary of Taverner's features.
Images taken using Canon Powershot A540 through Swarovski HD telescope.
Images of this bird on October 13th >>
<< Back to NE page
Home >>