Cackling Goose
For years, the Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii) was considered one of several smaller Canada Goose subspecies. In 2004, The American Ornithological Union (AUO) reclassified them, and this species is now considered to be their own species entirely. Further confusing those of us that will forever lump Canadas as bigs, littles and middles, it’s been proposed that Canada and cackling geese be into 6 species and 200 subspecies! For now, there are 4 subspecies of cackling geese and generalized below. The Cackling Goose has a short neck comparable to body size and has similar features to the Canada Goose. All display the black head and neck with white cheek patches, the white “U” on the black rump, and overall gray-brown body. Differences lie with the body size, plumage shades, and vocalizations. Thee seems to be a coloration gradient that’s increasingly darker to the west, and, especially when lumping Canadas and cacklers as one species, increased size to the south. All cackling geese subspecies have a high-pitched call with short, bark-like or yelp-like notes.
Available Hunts
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Texas Duck Hunting – Gulf Coast Redheads and More
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Texas Waterfowl Hunt – Desert Paradise
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Wyoming Duck Hunt
Wyoming duck hunt at Mountain View Mallards entails plentiful mallards and Canada geese in one of the most stunningly beautiful parts of America. Hunt comfortably from heated blinds and enjoy the show.
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Wyoming Waterfowl Hunting
World-class hunting for mallards and Canada geese along the legendary North Platte River in Wyoming-Nebraska with long-time professional outfitter that has a proven track-record for success.
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Along with the Canada Goose, the Cackling Goose breeds throughout Canada and parts of Alaska. Both species have been introduced around the world and may now be found in Greenland, Europe, Russia, and New Zealand. While most of the subspecies will breed around marshes and tundra wetlands, the Aleutian Canada Goose will breed on steep cliffs lined with rocky shorelines.
The Cackling Goose is highly gregarious, usually foraging in sizable flocks together. While preferring to browse on the ground, they will also take advantage of foraging in the water for any type of vegetation, tipping like dabbling ducks. Main staples of their strictly herbivorous diet include grasses, berries, and grains.
Cackling Goose Subspecies:
The Cackling Goose (B. h. minima) is is the the darkest and smallest form, comparably sized to mallards. Some have described the breast plumage as sometimes expressing a purple iridescence. A small white neck ring might be present. Bill length less than 32mm, fast wingbeat compared to other subspecies. Breeds coasts western Alaska, primarily wintering in the Pacific Northwest US, previously overwintering in California. Cacklers tend to fly in flocks numbering 4-plus dose birds, preferring relatively wide-open habitats. Interestingly, due to subsistence harvest, this subspecies numbered only 20,000 birds in the mid-1980s but has since made a huge comeback.
Aleutian Goose
Adult Aleutian Geese (B. h. leucopareia) are characterized by broad white neck ring separating the black head and brown breast plumage. The white cheek patches are separated by black under the chin. Head appears blacker than other subspecies, and bill length 32-38mm. As their name implies, they breed in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands, migrating along the Pacific coast, overwintering primarily in California. Considered an endangered species in the mid-1960s, Aleutians have since made a tremendous comeback with harvest strategies extending in early-March in Oregon and California.
Taverner’s Goose
The Taverner’s Goose (B. h. taverneri) is lighter than cackler and dusky geese and check patches are connected. Bill length 32-40mm. They breed throughout western Alaska, preferring tundra habitat (as compared to the Lesser Canada Goose that prefers woodlands within this breeding range). Taverner’s usually fly in family-sized groups bit will form large flocks and mix with other subspecies. Feeding in open-field habitats, it’s been reported that they’re harder to decoy than other cackling subspecies.
Richardson’s Goose
The Richardson’s Goose (B. h. hutchinsii) displays the lightest plumage within cackling subspecies and is the smallest of all eastern Canada Goose-like forms. Bill 31-39 mm. Breeds in Arctic Canada, overwintering Gulf Coastal Texas and northern Mexico.
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