The Cackling Goose is one of North America's "newest" birds. In 2004, the American Ornithologist's Union determined that the four smallest (of eleven) subspecies of the Canada Goose were actually a unique species—now officially called the Cackling Goose. This "split" was based largely upon mitochondrial DNA analysis, but certain characteristics of appearance and behavior also separate the two species. However, even experienced bird watchers may have difficulty separating Cackling from Canada Geese, especially during migration, when mixed flocks occur.

All four subspecies of Cackling Goose nest in the far north, often beyond the range of Canada Geese. One subspecies, the Aleutian Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii leucopareia), breeds on Alaska's outer Aleutian Islands. Two more (B.h. minima and B.h. taverneri) are found around western and northern Alaska, respectively, with the latter occurring as far east as the upper Yukon Territory. These three subspecies winter mainly in the Pacific Northwest. The fourth subspecies (B.h. hutchinsii) breeds further east, around Nunavut and the upper Hudson Bay. In cold months, it migrates across the Midwest, wintering as far south as Mexico. Also called Richardson's Goose, this subspecies is occasionally found on the East Coast, mixed with wintering flocks of Canada Geese.

 

Outside of North America, the Aleutian Cackling Goose occurs on the Kurils, a string of islands stretching from Kamchatka, Russia to northeastern Japan. Although they were extirpated from the area over the last century, a re-introduced population has actually re-established its ancient migratory route to Japan, where they spend the winter.

Since the split, many birdwatchers have been devoting more time and attention to identifying migratory Cackling Geese. This will contribute to our knowledge of the species' original migratory range. There is much to learn about the Cackling Goose, but the overall population appears stable.

 

The tale of the Aleutian Cackling Goose is one of the true success stories of the Endangered Species Act. By 1940, this, the smallest subspecies of the Cackling Goose, was feared extinct, eradicated by Arctic foxes that had been introduced across the Aleutian Islands for the fur trade. In 1963, however, a team of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists found a remnant population of fewer than 300 birds on Buldir, one of the most remote of Alaska's Aleutian Islands. Re-establishment efforts were begun promptly, and the Aleutian Goose was listed as Endangered in 1967 under Federal laws that predated the Endangered Species Act of 1973. By 1990, the population had grown to over 6,000 birds, and the species was downgraded from Endangered to Threatened. By 2001, the population had rebounded to well over 30,000 and was subsequently de-listed as an Endangered Species.

 

A complicating factor for wildlife managers is the fact that some subspecies of both Cackling and Canada Geese are more stable than others. Hence, management techniques and policies for both species must undergo constant review, particularly in the Northwest, where Cackling and Canada Geese flock together most commonly.

For actions you can take, including Audubon activities, please visit our resources page.

Read about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife's Endangered Species Program as well as the Endangered Species Act.

 

Visit our resources page for more information about this species.

Kortright, Francis H. 1943. The Ducks, Geese and Swans of North America. The American Wildlife Institute, Washington D.C.

 

Mowbray, T. B., C. R. Ely, J. S. Sedinger, and R. E. Trost. 2002. Canada Goose (Branta canadensis). In The Birds of North America, No. 682 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.

 

Sibley, David Allen. Identification of Canada and Cackling Goose. Oct 2004.

 

University of Tennessee at Martin. Road to Recovery for the Aleutian Canada Goose. 2005.