Cackling Goose Photo Gallery
Adult (Aleutian)
Small and compact with a short neck, small bill, and steep forehead. Head and neck are black with a large white cheek patch. Some, including most adult Aleutian birds (subspecies leucopareia), have a white collar at the base of the black neck sock.
© Matt Brady | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, February 04, 2010Adult (Richardson's)
Head shape ranges from rounded to boxy, but the small, triangular bill and short neck are constants. Also note the neatly barred upperparts.
© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, December 30, 2016Adult (Richardson's)
Small goose best identified by head shape: note short bill and fairly abrupt transition to steep forehead.
© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, December 02, 2014Not all videos have soundAdult (minima)
The smallest subspecies minima is tiny (roughly the size of a male Mallard) and shows a dark breast.
© Rob O'Donnell | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 23, 2017Adult (Taverner's)
The Taverner's form has a longer neck and paler brown body, tending towards the shape of a Canada Goose.
© Jack Bushong | Macaulay LibraryColorado, March 13, 2017Adult (Richardson's)
© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, December 02, 2014Not all videos have soundAdult
In flight shows a prominent white "U" on the dark uppertail, contrasting with the black tail. Otherwise mostly brown with black neck and head, with a white cheek.
© Cameron Eckert | Macaulay LibraryYukon Territory, June 19, 2015Adult (Richardson's) (with Canada Goose)
Often flocks with Canada Goose (right). Note Cackling's shorter bill with more abrupt transition to steep forehead.
© Ryan Schain | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, December 05, 2011Adult (Richardson's)
© Benjamin Clock | Macaulay LibraryNew York, November 16, 2006Not all videos have soundAdult (minima)
Often occurs in large flocks, and forages in grassy habitats. The smallest subspecies, minima, is notably dark-breasted.
© Greg Gillson | Macaulay LibraryOregon, January 10, 2012Adult (Richardson's) (with Snow Goose)
Often flocks with other species of geese. In comparison to Snow Goose, smaller and shorter-billed.
© Daniel Jauvin | Macaulay LibraryQuebec, December 05, 2015Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl(Order: Anseriformes, Family: Anatidae)
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