[wisb] Re: Cackling Goose and Merlin Questions
- From: "Tom Schultz" <trschultz@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <schaufenbuel@xxxxxxxxxxx>, <wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- 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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