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Cackling Goose

ID Info
Cackling Goose by Nick Dean
Silhouette GeeseGeese

Cackling Goose

Branta hutchinsii
  • ORDER: Anseriformes
  • FAMILY: Anatidae
Basic Description

The newly recognized Cackling Goose is a smaller version of the Canada Goose. Formerly considered the smallest subspecies of one variable species, recent work on genetic differences found the four smallest forms to be very different. These four races are now recognized as a full species: the Cackling Goose. It breeds farther northward and westward than does the Canada Goose.

More ID Info
image of range map for Cackling GooseRange map provided by Birds of North AmericaExplore Maps
Other Names
  • Barnacla Canadiense Chica (Spanish)
  • Bernache de Hutchins (French)
  • Cool Facts

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Species in This Family

Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl(Order: Anseriformes, Family:Anatidae)

Black-bellied Whistling-DuckBlack-bellied Whistling-Duck
Fulvous Whistling-DuckFulvous Whistling-Duck
Emperor GooseEmperor Goose
Snow GooseSnow Goose
Ross's GooseRoss's Goose
Greater White-fronted GooseGreater White-fronted Goose
BrantBrant
Cackling GooseCackling Goose
Canada GooseCanada Goose
Mute SwanMute Swan
Trumpeter SwanTrumpeter Swan
Tundra SwanTundra Swan
Muscovy DuckMuscovy Duck
Wood DuckWood Duck
Blue-winged TealBlue-winged Teal
Cinnamon TealCinnamon Teal
Northern ShovelerNorthern Shoveler
GadwallGadwall
Eurasian WigeonEurasian Wigeon
American WigeonAmerican Wigeon
MallardMallard
American Black DuckAmerican Black Duck
Mottled DuckMottled Duck
Northern PintailNorthern Pintail
Green-winged TealGreen-winged Teal
CanvasbackCanvasback
RedheadRedhead
Ring-necked DuckRing-necked Duck
Greater ScaupGreater Scaup
Lesser ScaupLesser Scaup
Steller's EiderSteller's Eider
King EiderKing Eider
Common EiderCommon Eider
Harlequin DuckHarlequin Duck
Surf ScoterSurf Scoter
White-winged ScoterWhite-winged Scoter
Black ScoterBlack Scoter
Long-tailed DuckLong-tailed Duck
BuffleheadBufflehead
Common GoldeneyeCommon Goldeneye
Barrow's GoldeneyeBarrow's Goldeneye
Hooded MerganserHooded Merganser
Common MerganserCommon Merganser
Red-breasted MerganserRed-breasted Merganser
Ruddy DuckRuddy Duck

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