From: "Sandra Keller" <skeller@snip.net>
To: "Jersey Birds" <jerseybi@princeton.edu>
Subject: Richardson's Canada Goose identification
Date: Sunday, April 27, 2003 4:15 PM

Hello,
I was asked to give some advice on the id of the "Richardson's" Canada goose - Branta canadensis hutchinsii - for someone without access to all the British magazines and books I have. I used the internet for pictures and my books for the id pointers. Any questions or comments please email me. Also, I would love to add pictures from Richardson's in NJ if anyone has any. Internet links change with too frequent regularity. If a link doesn't work, let me know and I'll try to find the new address or another similar page to use.

First, the Richardson's breeds in Arctic Canadian Islands and the coast east to Baffin Island and also on western Greenland. It winters in Louisiana and the Gulf coast of Mexico. So, it is a prime candidate for vagrancy to NJ. The Cackling Canada Goose - Branta canadensis minima - breeds along the western coast of Alaska and winters mainly in the Sacramento Valley in CA. Much less of a candidate for vagrancy to NJ. Although the status of Richardson's in NJ is an extremely rare vagrant.
The first id point you will probably notice is the size of the bird. Richardson's is not much larger than a Mallard. Seeing one next to our New Jersey Canada Geese (canadensis) is quite a contrast! Check out http://www.iwu.edu/~sander/mretter/strange_goose2.htm The second picture from the top provides a look at the size difference. Also check out the last picture on the page.
Next, try and get a good look at the bill size and shape. The bill is really quite short and stubby looking. Look at the first picture at this web site: http://www.martinreid.com/cago2.html
Next, notice the head shape. Look at the two pictures under the text that says "bird b)" at the same web site. The top picture shows the head looking clearly rounded. The next photo shows the head shape as being somewhat flattened. This is variable depending on the attitude of the bird - relaxed, alert, neck extended, etc.
Notice some of the photos at the same web site show the throat bisected with a dark line. This is NOT a good id feature. Both Cackling and Richardson's may or may not show this.
The presence or lack of a white neck collar is proving controversial. According to the BNA Canada Goose account and Ogilvie and Young Wildfowl of the World, hutchinsii seldom if ever even shows a hint of a neck collar. According to Birding World 14:2, hutchinsii often shows a pale collar or line between the breast and neck sock. Obviously this id feature is still being worked out and I wouldn't worry about the presence or lack of a collar in attempting to id a possible Richardson's in NJ. The photos at both these web sites do not show a collar. Cackling may or may not show a collar either.
Overall breast color is important. A Richardson's appearing pale to a dark brownish, while a Cackling is usually a very dark brown, with an occasional paler breasted individual.
Here's another site to check out: http://www.oceanwanderers.com/RichardsonsCAGO.html
I do not believe this is a Richardson's though. Look how big the bill is. This could be an intergrade between two subspecies which is always a concern.
I found one picture of Cackling on land: http://www.oceanwanderers.com/CAGO.Subspecies.html The picture is about halfway down the web page. Notice the overall darkness of the Cackling (lefthand bird), plus the long-legged look. Richardson's would actually be much shorter legged! Cackling is shorter necked than Richardson's, also, but that's always difficult to judge. Necks can be extended, relaxed, etc.
In summary: Richardson's is size of a Mallard, very short, stubby bill, pale to medium brown breast, may or may not show a neck collar, very short-legged if seen on land. If you see a really dark individual with a really short looking neck, it could be a possible Cackling. It's a tough call though. Hopefully it will be on land. Leg length is probably the most reliable id point between Cackling and Richardson's.

References: Birding World Vol. 14 No. 2.
Photographic Handbook Wildfowl of the World - Ogilvie and Young - New Holland 1998.
The Birds of North America series - Canada Goose issue.
Birds of New Jersey - Walsh, Elia, Kane, and Halliwell - New Jersey Audubon Society 1999.

Sandra Keller
Barrington, NJ
skeller@snip.net