[va-bird] Re: Small form of Canada Goose in Augusta County

Though we certainly have alot to learn about distinguishing small subspecies of 
Canada Goose from Cackling Goose,  the two light breasted, short-necked, stubby 
billed birds Allen saw today certainly sound like the nominate Cackling Goose 
Branta hutchinsii hutchinsii ("Richardson's Cackling Goose").  The other darker 
breasted longer necked bird sounds much like B. hutchinsii minima ("Cackling 
Cackling Goose") though no definitive records of this subspecies exist east of 
the Rockies.  However, I believe this subspecies is kept in captivity.  Of 
course, we could be dealing with hybrids or "runt" Canadas here.
I plan on heading over to Augusta County Friday afternoon to have a look at 
these birds.  Hope to get some photos to aid in identification/documentation.  
Exciting!! Thanks for getting the word out on these birds Allen.

Mike

Mike Boatwright--
Amherst, VA


-------------- Original message from "Patricia" <larnersky@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>: 
-------------- 


> Hello all 
> This afternoon after getting off from work I decided to check out the pond at 
> Quillen's to see if this weather pattern dropped any waterfowl in . Well 
> finally 
> we are getting a good selection of waterfowl today . So after checking out 
> Quillen's I went to all of the places that I normally check . On the large 
> pond 
> near Rt. 275 on Bells Lane I found a large group of Canada Geese of about 
> 130+ 
> birds . In this group I found 3 of the small forms of Canada Geese . Two of 
> them 
> has the pale breasts & the other has a dark purpleish color to the breast . 
> All 
> are about the size of a Ross's Goose with stubby black bills & short necks . 
> The 
> one with the darker breast has a some what longer neck than the other two . 

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