5. Comparing Goose Subspecies

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

5. COMPARING GOOSE SUBSPECIES The following set of photographs is included so that comparisons can be made among the various goose subspecies. Figure 107: Cackling goose (left) and western Canada goose (right). 2 1 Figure 108: Cackling goose (1) with dusky Canada geese (2). Identification Field Guide to the Geese of the Willamette Valley and Lower Columbia River, 2nd Edition 72 2 1 Figure 109: Cackling geese with western Canada Geese – 1) cackling goose; 2) western Canada goose. Figure 110: Mallard duck and four subspecies of geese. Identification Field Guide to the Geese of the Willamette Valley and Lower Columbia River, 2nd Edition 73 2 1 Figure 111: Taverner’s goose (in center) with cackling geese – 1) Taverner’s goose; 2) cackling geese. 2 1 Figure 112: Dusky Canada goose (1) with Taverner’s goose (2). Identification Field Guide to the Geese of the Willamette Valley and Lower Columbia River, 2nd Edition 74 3 1 2 Figure 113: Taverner’s and cackling geese with lesser Canada geese – 1) Taverner’s goose; 2) cackling goose; 3) lesser Canada goose. 1 2 Figure 114: Taverner’s goose (1) and cackling geese (2). Identification Field Guide to the Geese of the Willamette Valley and Lower Columbia River, 2nd Edition 75 1 2 Figure 115: Taverner’s goose (1) with dusky Canada geese (2). 1 Figure 116: Flock of dusky Canada geese interspersed with Taverner’s geese (1). Identification Field Guide to the Geese of the Willamette Valley and Lower Columbia River, 2nd Edition 76 1 2 Figure 117: Taverner’s geese (1) with cackling geese (2). Identification on dark days relies more on characteristics other than color, such as shape, call and behavior. 2 1 Figure 118: Taverner’s goose (1) with cackling geese (2). Notice culmen (bill) length is longer on the Taverner’s goose. Identification Field Guide to the Geese of the Willamette Valley and Lower Columbia River, 2nd Edition 77 Figure 119: Taverner’s goose (in flight) with cackling geese. 1 2 Figure 120: Taverner’s geese (1 & 2) with cackling geese. Identification Field Guide to the Geese of the Willamette Valley and Lower Columbia River, 2nd Edition 78 .

Copy Link

Recommended publications

Cougar-Squak Corridor Park Eastside Audubon Society Bird Survey
Cougar-Squak Corridor Park Eastside Audubon Society Bird Survey Date Range Oct 1, 2015 - Sep 30, 2016 Total Number of Species 57 Total Number of Locations Cougar-Sqauk Corridor Park, Issaquah, WA Checklists 15 Oct-15 Nov-15 Dec-15 Jan-16 Feb-16 Mar-16 Apr-16 May-16 Jun-16 Jul-16 Aug-16 Sep-16 Number of Species 11 11 -- 14 11 25 30 35 36 35 22 16 Number of Individuals 43 48 -- 200 72 221 210 189 372 241 113 63 Number of Checklists 1 1 -- 1 1 1 2 1 3 2 1 1 Oct-15 Nov-15 Dec-15 Jan-16 Feb-16 Mar-16 Apr-16 May-16 Jun-16 Jul-16 Aug-16 Sep-16 Species Name High Count High Count High Count High Count High Count High Count High Count High Count High Count High Count High Count High Count Canada Goose -- -- -- 2 -- 2 1 -- -- -- -- -- Trumpeter/Tundra Swan -- -- -- -- -- 10 -- -- -- -- -- -- Mallard -- -- -- -- -- 4 -- 2 -- -- -- -- Great Blue Heron -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- -- -- -- 1 -- Osprey -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- -- -- -- Bald Eagle -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- 1 -- -- -- Red-tailed Hawk -- -- -- -- -- -- 2 -- 1 -- -- -- Rock Pigeon -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- Band-tailed Pigeon -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 3 3 6 -- Northern Pygmy-Owl -- -- -- -- -- 1 1 -- -- -- -- -- Barred Owl -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- 1 1 -- 1 -- Vaux's Swift -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 2 -- Anna's Hummingbird -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 1 1 -- Rufous Hummingbird -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 2 -- -- -- -- Belted Kingfisher -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- -- Red-breasted Sapsucker -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 1 1 -- -- -- Downy Woodpecker -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 2 1 -- 6 Hairy Woodpecker 1 2 -- -- --
[Show full text]
THE ALEUTIAN CACKLING GOOSE in ARIZONA DAVID VANDER PLUYM, 2841 Mcculloch Blvd
THE ALEUTIAN CACKLING GOOSE IN ARIZONA DAVID VANDER PLUYM, 2841 McCulloch Blvd. N #1, Lake Havasu City, Arizona, 86403; [email protected] ABSTRACT: There is little published information about the occurrence of the Aleutian Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii leucopareia) in Arizona. Formerly listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, this subspecies has rebounded, leading to an increase in numbers occurring outside its core range, including Arizona. Since the first in 1975, at least 24 well-founded records for Arizona have accumulated, one supported by a specimen, two by band recoveries, and 20 by diagnostic photo- graphs. Since 2013 the Aleutian Cackling Goose has occurred in Arizona annually between November and February. It is most frequent along the Colorado River, but records extend as far east as Willcox, Cochise County. The taxonomy of the “white-cheeked” geese is complex and debated. Currently, most treatments list 11 or 12 taxa in this group, and Banks et al. (2004) split them into two species: the Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii) and the Canada Goose (B. canadensis). Taxonomists generally recognize four extant subspecies of the Cackling Goose: hutchinsii, taverneri, minima, and leucopareia (Aleutian Cackling Goose). The now extinct population formerly breeding in the Commander and Kuril islands in Russia and wintering south to Japan has been considered a separate subspecies, asiatica (Banks et al. 2004), or a western population of leucopareia (e.g., Baldassarre 2014, Reeber 2015). Birds discovered breeding on the Semidi Islands in 1979 and wintering in coastal Oregon are phenotypically interme- diate between other populations of leucopareia and taverneri (Hatch and Hatch 1983) and do differ genetically from other populations of leucopareia, but they likely represent distinct populations of leucopareia rather than a valid separate taxon (Pierson et al.
[Show full text]
2015 Disease Summary
SUMMARY OF DISEASES AFFECTING MICHIGAN WILDLIFE 2015 ABSCESS Abdominal Eastern Fox Squirrel, Trumpeter Swan, Wild Turkey Airsac Canada Goose Articular White-tailed Deer Cranial White-tailed Deer Dermal White-tailed Deer Hepatic White-tailed Deer, Red-tailed Hawk, Wild Turkey Intramuscular White-tailed Deer Muscular Moose, White-tailed Deer, Wild Turkey Ocular White-tailed Deer Pulmonary Granulomatous Focal White-tailed Deer Unspecified White-tailed Deer, Raccoon, Canada Goose Skeletal Mourning Dove Subcutaneous White-tailed Deer, Raccoon, Eastern Fox Squirrel, Mute Swan Thoracic White-tailed Deer Unspecified White-tailed Deer ADHESION Pleural White-tailed Deer 1 AIRSACCULITIS Egg Yolk Canada Goose Fibrinous Chronic Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Canada Goose, Mallard, Wild Turkey Mycotic Trumpeter Swan, Canada Goose Necrotic Caseous Chronic Bald Eagle Unspecified Chronic Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Mute Swan, Redhead, Wild Turkey, Mallard, Mourning Dove Unspecified Snowy Owl, Common Raven, Rock Dove Unspecified Snowy Owl, Merlin, Wild Turkey, American Crow Urate Red-tailed Hawk ANOMALY Congenital White-tailed Deer ARTHROSIS Inflammatory Cooper's Hawk ASCITES Hemorrhagic White-tailed Deer, Red Fox, Beaver ASPERGILLOSIS Airsac American Robin Cranial American Robin Pulmonary Trumpeter Swan, Blue Jay 2 ASPERGILLOSIS (CONTINUED ) Splenic American Robin Unspecified Red-tailed Hawk, Snowy Owl, Trumpeter Swan, Canada Goose, Common Loon, Ring- billed Gull, American Crow, Blue Jay, European Starling BLINDNESS White-tailed Deer BOTULISM Type C Mallard
[Show full text]
Cackling Geese in the East
Cackling Geese in the East Since 2004, when Cackling Geese were formally split from Canada Geese, birders have been keeping an eye out for small-bodied and short-billed geese, termed Cackling Geese, mixed in with “typical” large-bodied, wedge-headed Canada Geese. This ID challenge is very much like a birders version of “Where’s Waldo?”An excellent overview of this split was provided by OMNR waterfowl expert, Ken Abraham, in the winter of 2005. Here’s the link: http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/articles.cacklinggoose. I will attempt to make this discussion as clear, digestible, and casual as possible, but if anything is unclear, please email me at [email protected] and I would be happy to go over material. Below I provide an identification overview of “Richardson’s” (hutchinsii) Cackling Geese, Myth Busting, and Quiz photos. ______________________________________________________________________________ “Richardson’s” (hutchinsii) Cackling Geese Figure 1: Ontario’s Cackling Geese: an example of five “classic” hutchinsii Cackling Geese. Note the diminutive size overall; steep forehead; proportionally small head with “blocky” shape in most postures; peaked rear to crown; relatively thick and short bill (variable and may sometimes show a pronounced droop nearest the tip; lending to a Roman’s Nose look); show short and stubby neck (esp. in relaxed posture); small, compact body; pale emarginations often seen but not always; breast averages paler than Canada Geese but this is not the case on some birds, esp. juveniles. Andrew Haydon Park — 1 October 2013. Figure 2: More prototypical hutchinsii Cackling Geese, with three interior Canada Geese at back.
[Show full text]
Duck, Duck, Goose
MAY /JUNE PHOTO QUIZ ANSWERS Duck, Duck, Goose aterfowl are among the most readily observed fam - Wilies of birds, admired by birders and non-birders alike. They are often easily identified, al - though similar species certainly present identification challenges. Most species of waterfowl can be identified by shape, size, and over - all color pattern alone. Structural characteristics hardly ever fail, and you can avoid deciphering the complicated molts and plumages of ducks, including the dreaded identification of ducks in eclipse plumage. There are times when an understanding of molt or knowl - edge of a unique plumage detail Quiz Photo A—early January . will allow you to determine the age and sex of a challenging duck at hand, but such little? Do we have anything to compare it to, so as details often are not necessary to name an individ - to judge relative size? There are several birds in ual to species. For practice, we’ll go a step beyond the background, and they are of similar shape. species identification in this quiz with brief dis - From what’s visible in the photo, they all look cussions on aging, sexing, and sub - roughly the same, so comparing our quiz bird Jessie H. Barry species. with others is not particularly helpful this time, The title already gave away that we are but it is often a great place to start. 218 Sapsucker Woods Road dealing with ducks and geese here. Ducks come in an array of shapes and sizes, as Ithaca, New York 14850 These birds are known for swimming, different species are specially adapted to utilize [email protected] for visually striking diurnal migrations, various aqueous habitats, where they feed on a and for their quacks and honks.
[Show full text]
4-H-993-W, Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Food Flash Cards
Purdue extension 4-H-993-W Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Food Flash Cards Authors: Natalie Carroll, Professor, Youth Development right, it goes in the “fast” pile. If it takes a little and Agricultural Education longer, put the card in the “medium” pile. And if Brian Miller, Director, Illinois–Indiana Sea Grant College the learner does not know, put the card in the “no” Program Photos by the authors, unless otherwise noted. pile. Concentrate follow-up study efforts on the “medium” and “no” piles. These flash cards can help youth learn about the foods that wildlife eat. This will help them assign THE CONTEST individual food items to the appropriate food When youth attend the WHEP Career Development categories and identify which wildlife species Event (CDE), actual food specimens—not eat those foods during the Foods Activity of the pictures—will be displayed on a table (see Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program (WHEP) Figure 1). Participants need to identify which contest. While there may be some disagreement food category is represented by the specimen. about which wildlife eat foods from the category Participants will write this food category on the top represented by the picture, the authors feel that the of the score sheet (Scantron sheet, see Figure 2) and species listed give a good representation. then mark the appropriate boxes that represent the wildlife species which eat this category of food. The Use the following pages to make flash cards by same species are listed on the flash cards, making it cutting along the dotted lines, then fold the papers much easier for the students to learn this material.
[Show full text]
Waterfowl in Iowa, Overview
STATE OF IOWA 1977 WATERFOWL IN IOWA By JACK W MUSGROVE Director DIVISION OF MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES STATE HISTORICAL DEPARTMENT and MARY R MUSGROVE Illustrated by MAYNARD F REECE Printed for STATE CONSERVATION COMMISSION DES MOINES, IOWA Copyright 1943 Copyright 1947 Copyright 1953 Copyright 1961 Copyright 1977 Published by the STATE OF IOWA Des Moines Fifth Edition FOREWORD Since the origin of man the migratory flight of waterfowl has fired his imagination. Undoubtedly the hungry caveman, as he watched wave after wave of ducks and geese pass overhead, felt a thrill, and his dull brain questioned, “Whither and why?” The same age - old attraction each spring and fall turns thousands of faces skyward when flocks of Canada geese fly over. In historic times Iowa was the nesting ground of countless flocks of ducks, geese, and swans. Much of the marshland that was their home has been tiled and has disappeared under the corn planter. However, this state is still the summer home of many species, and restoration of various areas is annually increasing the number. Iowa is more important as a cafeteria for the ducks on their semiannual flights than as a nesting ground, and multitudes of them stop in this state to feed and grow fat on waste grain. The interest in waterfowl may be observed each spring during the blue and snow goose flight along the Missouri River, where thousands of spectators gather to watch the flight. There are many bird study clubs in the state with large memberships, as well as hundreds of unaffiliated ornithologists who spend much of their leisure time observing birds.
[Show full text]
Predator-Prey Interactions Between Eagles and Cackling Canada and Ross' Geese During Winter in California
Wilson Bull., 106(2), 1994, pp. 272-288 PREDATOR-PREY INTERACTIONS BETWEEN EAGLES AND CACKLING CANADA AND ROSS ’ GEESE DURING WINTER IN CALIFORNIA SCOTT R. MCWILLIAMS,’ JON P. DUNN,* AND DENNIS G. RAVELING’.~ ABSTRACT.-Cackling Geese (Brunta canadensis minima) were preyed on heavily in northeastern California by Golden Eagles (Aquila chysaetos) and less commonly by Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus Zeucocephalus) in 19851990. Eagle predation on Cackling Geese was minimal in other wintering locations in California. In the Klamath Basin, eagles killed Cackling Geese most frequently soon (<IO days) after the geese arrived in the fall. Eagles killed fewer Cackling Geese in the Klamath Basin when Cackling Geese were less common than Ross ’ Geese (Chen rossii) and Lesser Snow Geese (C. caerulescens caerulescens). We also examined spatial and temporal (daily, seasonal, and annual) variation in eagle predation on geese at a smaller scale in Big Valley, California. Most eagle-caused flushes of geese occurred during mid-day when the geese were using traditional day-roost sites. Roosting on water with most other Cackling and Ross ’ Geese in Big Valley reduced the frequency of eagle attacks relative to other sites. In Big Valley, the larger Great Basin Canada Goose (Brunta canadensis mojfitti) was attacked by Golden Eagles only once during 88 observation days, while the smaller Cackling and Ross ’ geese were attacked by Golden Eagles a total of 27 times. Moreover, Cackling Geese in Big Valley were attacked and killed at least twice as often as Ross ’ Geese because Cackling Geese often grazed in pasture where Golden Eagle attacks were more frequent. When feeding on pasture, geese did not increase time spent vigilant or flock size compared to habitats with less eagle predation.
[Show full text]
Canada Goose Fact Sheet
WILDLIFE IN CONNECTICUT WILDLIFE FACT SHEET Canada Goose Branta canadensis Background The Canada goose was abundant in Connecticut J. FUSCO © PAUL during colonial times, principally as a migrant. Unregulated hunting and market hunting in the 1700s and 1800s caused a population decline. However, protective measures in the early 1900s gradually reversed this trend. Releases of geese by game breeders, sportsmen, private groups, and the State Board of Fisheries and Game resulted in an established population of resident geese that eventually spread throughout the state. Currently, Canada geese nest statewide, with the highest populations occurring in the 3 most urbanized counties (Fairfield, Hartford, and New Haven counties). Description Canada goose numbers have increased substantially The Canada goose is Connecticut’s largest native over the last 50 years. This increase is due to the ability waterfowl species, weighing between 6 and 13 pounds of geese to adapt to man’s landscaping practices. The and measuring 22-48 inches. It is easily recognized by multitude of new ponds, lakeside lawns, golf courses, its black head, bill, and neck that contrast strikingly with and athletic fields created since the 1950s have resulted a pale gray breast. The distinct white cheek patch, or in a large expansion of the goose population. These chinstrap, that covers the throat is a characteristic field areas provide the right combination of water, cover, and mark. The birds are gray-brown to dark brown on the grazing sites for geese. back and wings and white on the belly; they have a black The establishment of special hunting seasons that rump and tail feathers that are separated by a narrow but focus on the harvest of resident geese has helped in distinct band of white feathers.
[Show full text]
Migratory Bird Populations
MIGRATORY BIRD POPULATIONS Wetland Wildlife Populations and Research 102 23rd Street Bemidji, MN 56601 (218) 308-2282 119 120 2009 WATERFOWL BREEDING POPULATION SURVEY MINNESOTA Steve Cordts, Wetland Wildlife and Populations Research ABSTRACT: The number of breeding waterfowl in a portion of Minnesota has been estimated each year since 1968 as a part of the overall inventory of North American breeding waterfowl. The survey consists of aerial observations in addition to more intensive ground counts on selected routes to determine the proportion of birds counted by the aerial crew. Procedures used are similar to those used elsewhere across the waterfowl breeding grounds. The 2009 aerial survey portion was flown from 5-19 May. Spring wetland habitat conditions were above average across the state but highly variable. Portions of southern and east central Minnesota were extremely dry and portions of west central to northwest Minnesota were extremely wet. Wetland numbers decreased 2% compared to 2008 but remained 26% above the 10-year average and 28% above the long-term average. The estimated numbers of temporary (Type 1) wetlands decreased 44% from 2008 and were 43% below the long-term average. The mallard breeding population index (236,000) declined 21% from 2008 (298,000) but was statistically unchanged (P = 0.18). Mallard numbers were 19% below the 10-year average but 6% above the long-term average of 224,000 breeding mallards. The blue-winged teal breeding population index (135,000) was 11% lower than the 2008 estimate (152,000) and remained well below both the 10-year (-36%) and long-term (-39%) averages.
[Show full text]
2019 Waterfowl Population Status Survey
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Waterfowl Population Status, 2019 Waterfowl Population Status, 2019 August 19, 2019 In the United States the process of establishing hunting regulations for waterfowl is conducted annually. This process involves a number of scheduled meetings in which information regarding the status of waterfowl is presented to individuals within the agencies responsible for setting hunting regulations. In addition, the proposed regulations are published in the Federal Register to allow public comment. This report includes the most current breeding population and production information available for waterfowl in North America and is a result of cooperative eforts by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS), various state and provincial conservation agencies, and private conservation organizations. In addition to providing current information on the status of populations, this report is intended to aid the development of waterfowl harvest regulations in the United States for the 2020–2021 hunting season. i Acknowledgments Waterfowl Population and Habitat Information: The information contained in this report is the result of the eforts of numerous individuals and organizations. Principal contributors include the Canadian Wildlife Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, state wildlife conservation agencies, provincial conservation agencies from Canada, and Dirección General de Conservación Ecológica de los Recursos Naturales, Mexico. In addition, several conservation organizations, other state and federal agencies, universities, and private individuals provided information or cooperated in survey activities. Appendix A.1 provides a list of individuals responsible for the collection and compilation of data for the “Status of Ducks” section of this report.
[Show full text]
Foxes in the City Vulpes Vulpes
Foxes in the City Vulpes vulpes Identification: Red foxes are a member of the canid family and are the largest of the true foxes, weighing 6 to 24 lbs. Thick soft fur and long legs often makes them look larger to people. Commonly a rusty red on top, they can be found in various shades and color of orange to gray and even black. Look for a white underbelly, black ear tips and legs, and a bushy tail with a distinctive white tip. Natural history: The red fox has the widest range of any carnivore; they are found throughout North America, Europe, Asia, N. Africa, Japan and have even been introduced to Australia. Red fox can be found in diverse habitats from forests, grasslands, mountains, deserts and adapt well to living around people. Diet: Foxes are solitary hunters whose diet is as varied as their habitat. Insects, small mammals, birds, snakes, fish, frogs, fruits, vegetables, garbage and pet food are all potential food sources. Big ears mean excellent hearing, and they can locate small animals by sound in tall grass, then make tall leaps to pounce on prey. Foxes will commonly “cache” or bury excess food in shallow holes to save for leaner times. Due to their small size, they eat 1-2 lbs. of food a day. Predation on pets is rare, most pets being too big for a fox. Breeding: Locally foxes breed in January to February, with 2 to 12 kits being born after almost a two-month gestation period in March through May. Kits are born blind, their eyes are open by two weeks and the kits have taken their first exploratory steps out of the den by five weeks; by ten weeks they are fully weaned.
[Show full text]