Cackling Geese at the Marathon High School

Last fall we enjoyed the stopover of a trio of Cackling Geese at our local Canadian Tire.

Yesterday, a pair of Cackling Geese dropped in on the playing field of the local high school. One of the birds is of the typical pale-breasted "Richardson's" type we expect to see as a migrant in NW Ontario. The other is slightly smaller with a darker breast and much larger white cheek patch - interesting couple.

[click on images to enlarge]

Cackling Geese stop over Canadian Tire

For more than a week, three Cackling Geese and two Canada Geese have been spending their days on a small patch of grass in front of Canadian Tire, on the busiest street in Marathon.

Band recoveries cited by Ken Abraham of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources indicate that the population of Cackling Goose which passes through northwest Ontario breeds on southern Baffin Island.

[click on images to enlarge]

This mixed flock can sometimes be seen along near the town boat launch on Lake Superior.

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More on the Cackling Goose

Distinguishing Cackling and Canada Goose from Sibley Guides.

Cackling Goose, not new to Ontario by Ken Abraham [published first in OFO News 23(1):2-6. February 2005.]

Mlodinow, S.G., Springer, P.F., Deuel, B., Semo, L.S., Leukering, T., Schonewald, D., Tweit, W., and J.H. Barry. 2008. Distribution and identification of Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii) subspecies. North American Birds 62:344-360 (pdf).