#: 10-B-08

IDAHO BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
RARE BIRD REPORT FORM
SPECIES: 
Cackling Goose

HOW MANY: one

REPORTER:  Terry Gray
890 Stefany Ln
Moscow ID 83843
208-882-1585

REPORTER EMAIL:  clgtlg@moscow.com

OTHER OBSERVERS: Jerry Cebula

DATE REPORT PREPARED:  3/13/2008

DATE SIGHTING OCCURRED:  1/10/2008

LOCALITY OF OBSERVATION: West Pond Lewiston, Idaho

HABITAT: Levee Pond

CONDITIONS: 15 minutes.  Cloudy day with winds 10 miles an hour and a temperature of 40 degrees F.  Observed the bird at approximately 40 to 50 feet. Looked at bird through spotting scope and field glasses.

DID YOU TAKE NOTES?:  No, not at all

DID YOU CONSULT FIELD GUIDE OR OTHER REFERENCES?:  Yes, later the same day

WHAT GUIDE(S) OR REFERENCE(S) DID YOU CONSULT?: The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America.

DESCRIPTION:  The bird observed was with other Canada Geese and appeared to be much darker in color with a very squared head and a shorter bill than the other geese it was with.  Neck when stretched was shorter and the bird overall was smaller than the other geese.  Breast was also somewhat darker than the larger geese. 

BEHAVIOR:  Did not hear the bird vocalize.  Interacted with the other geese by swimming around in the levee pond.

HOW AND WHEN DID YOU POSITIVELY IDENTIFY THE BIRD, AND WHAT CLINCHED THE IDENTIFICATION FOR YOU? Positively ID'd the bird at the time because of its appearance next to the other geese.  Size, color, size and shape of head and bill.

HOW DID YOU ELIMINATE SIMILAR SPECIES, AND WHAT WERE THEY? mainly on size and shape of bill and head and that the bird appeared overall much smaller than the other birds around it.

EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SPECIES (AND SIMILAR SPECIES):   Had been watching this bird off an on this winter.  They are not seen hear very often but stand out when you do find one.

GENERAL BIRDING EXPERIENCE:   Been an active birder for past 8 years.

WERE PHOTO(S), VIDEO, AND/OR AUDIO OBTAINED BY YOU?:   Photos