Branta hutchinsii

Advances in DNA and taxonomy in ornithology have led to some bird species being categorized into separate species. Recent work in this field has resulted in the cackling goose being split from the Canada goose as its own species.

Bryant Olsen recently reported observing a cackling goose in the pond at Liberty Park. This photo, by local birder Jim Bailey, shows the cackling goose to be the same size as a hen mallard.

The cackling goose was long considered just a small race of the Canada goose. It is a good photo to help illustrate some of the differences in this goose from the Canada goose. The first and most obvious is size. The cackling goose is the size of a mallard duck. It is much smaller than the Canada goose.

The smallest form of the cackling goose is only a quarter the size of the "giant Canada goose" subspecies. You can also note the small stubby bill that is triangular.

The new cackling goose breeds farther north and west than the Canada goose. Most cackling geese will nest along ponds and streams in the Arctic tundra. The next time you think you see Canada geese here in Utah, look again and see whether you are observing a new bird for your life list.

Bill Fenimore is owner of the Layton Wild Bird Center, www.wildbird.com/layton, author of Backyard Birds of Utah and member of the Utah Wildlife Board.

Join the Wild Bird Center on a free bird walk on Tundra Swan Day, March 13 at 10 a.m., leaving from the Wild Bird Center, Layton. Call 801-525-8400 or visit www.wildbird.com/layton for more details.