[wisb] Re: Cackling Goose and Merlin Questions

Here are some photos from here on Chequamegon Bay that demonstrate the great 
variability in breast color, presence of white "collar," and other features of 
Cackling Geese.  The first two images show all Cackling while the third has a 
few Canadas mixed in.
 
http://www.pbase.com/rbrady/image/128945330
http://www.pbase.com/rbrady/image/128945333
http://www.pbase.com/rbrady/image/128945336  


Ryan Brady
Washburn, Bayfield County, WI
http://www.pbase.com/rbrady



 

> From: trschultz@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> To: schaufenbuel@xxxxxxxxxxx; wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [wisb] Re: Cackling Goose and Merlin Questions
> Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2010 21:37:04 -0500
> 
> Joe asks some good questions, and I would agree that the ID of Cackling 
> Geese is not always easy/straightforward. Even though written several years 
> ago, Sibley's summary page can be very helpful in sorting out the taxonomy 
> and ID issues:
> 
> http://www.sibleyguides.com/2007/07/identification-of-cackling-and-canada-goose
> 
> I feel that very small-sized "Canada" geese in our area -- those about 
> Mallard size -- are highly likely to be Cackling Geese. In my experience, 
> the short necks and stubby bill proportions on these tiny geese typically 
> correspond, therefore confirming the ID -- but these features can also vary 
> somewhat between individuals. I think that the Cackling Geese in our area 
> have breasts shades that are somewhat variable -- and not usually noticeably 
> much darker than other Canadas.
> 
> I would also agree that "prairie" Merlins (subspecies richardsoni) are much 
> less frequent here in WI than are "eastern forest" birds (columbarius). I 
> believe that the "prairie" Merlin race is less migratory.
> 
> Tom Schultz
> Green Lake Co.
> 
> 
> 
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Schaufenbuel" <schaufenbuel@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 2010 8:56 PM
> To: <wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [wisb] Cackling Goose and Merlin Questions
> 
> > Once again Stevens Point hosts "mini-Canada-type Geese" not much bigger
> > than a Mallard and half the length of the the "Giant" Canada Goose and a
> > third smaller than the "Interior" or "Lesser" Canada Goose. These birds
> > are easily picked out in family groups and appear harassed by the bigger
> > Canada-types. However they are not classic Cackling Geese lacking the
> > dark breast, short neck, stubby bill and evident white collar. They do
> > have skinny necks and smaller, but not tiny, bills. Now are these just
> > extremely small Arctic nesting Canada Geese or are these these the
> > "Richardson's/Hutchinson's" Cackling Goose?
> >
> > Right now there are six of these little guys on the fountain pool just
> > south of Best Buy off Highway HH & I-39. Typically, I find one to six
> > of these minis each year. A few years back though, there was a day when
> > a larger number passed through.
> >
> > And on the topic of Merlin populations, I've have found one "Prairie"
> > Merlin in Wisconsin out of the thirty or so I've seen. Are my low
> > number of encounters from this Population typical, at least, in Central
> > Wisconsin?
> >
> > Joe Schaufenbuel
> > Stevens Point,
> > Portage Co., WI
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