Report #: 5-B-07

Idaho Bird Records Committee Rarities Report Form

Species: Cackling Goose (2 individuals)

Reporter: Jay Carlisle

6105 Kirkwood Rd

Boise, ID 83709

jaycarlisle@boisestate.edu

Other Observers: Craig Fosdick was present but did not have diagnostic views of these birds (didn’t try too hard as he was busy counting other waterfowl on the CBC)

Date Report Prepared: 1-8-07

Date Sighting Occurred: 12-23-06; about 10am (on the Bruneau CBC)

Locality of Observation: east end of CJ Strike Reservoir (Jack’s Creek access), Owyhee Co.

Habitat: edge of open water and ice-covered reservoir

Conditions: partly cloudy and breezy; I used Swarovski EL 10x42 binoculars and, especially, a Fujinon 20-60x scope (at up to 45x). The birds were observed at a distance of at least 200 m.

Did you take notes? not at all

Did you consult a field guide or other reference work? after the observation

What guide(s) or reference(s) did you consult?

Sibley & National Geographic

Description: Two small geese with Canada Goose-like patterning but a smaller bill and a steeper forehead.

Behavior: The birds were standing on the edge of the ice in the company of many Canada Geese, including several of the Lesser (‘parvipes’) subspecies.

How and when did you positively identify the bird, and what clinched the identification for you? While scanning through the large flock of Canadas for anything different, I noticed two smaller birds in comparison to the nearby Canadas and then focused in on the smaller bill and different forehead shape. The birds were very distant and were seen in non-ideal conditions (low lighting and wind) but the head/bill shape was apparent in comparison even to nearby Lesser Canada Geese.

How did you eliminate similar species, and what were they? Canada Goose is the only similar appearing species but is larger and differentiated by the above-mentioned features.

Experience with this species (and similar species): I have observed many Cackling Geese during migration and winter in California and have observed several others in Boise during 2006 and in recent years. I also have experience differentiating between Lesser Canadas and Cackling Geese.

General birding experience: extensive; 14+ years in US and Latin America

Were photo(s), video, and/or audio obtained by you? (If yes, please include or attach) No.