rjadams55
Cackling Geese (Branta hutchinsii) December 31, Eel River Wildlife Refuge, Humboldt Co., CA (5)
Two different subspecies of Cackling Goose are found in California; B. h. minima breeds in coastal SW Alaska, and is the smallest subspecies. It is a particularly dark goose with a stubby bill and either a tin or missing white neck collar. B. h. leucoppareia, also known as the Aleutian Cackling Goose is a bit larger, paler on the chest, and has a longer bill and a broader white neck ring.
While they did appear to show some segregation, both subspecies were found in this flock.
Cackling Geese (Branta hutchinsii) December 31, Eel River Wildlife Refuge, Humboldt Co., CA (5)
Two different subspecies of Cackling Goose are found in California; B. h. minima breeds in coastal SW Alaska, and is the smallest subspecies. It is a particularly dark goose with a stubby bill and either a tin or missing white neck collar. B. h. leucoppareia, also known as the Aleutian Cackling Goose is a bit larger, paler on the chest, and has a longer bill and a broader white neck ring.
While they did appear to show some segregation, both subspecies were found in this flock.