#65-B-06

IDAHO BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
RARE BIRD REPORT FORM

SPECIES:   Cackling Goose

HOW MANY: 1

REPORTER:  Cliff Weisse,  4125 Beaver Springs Rd., Island Park, ID 83429 208-558-7789

REPORTER EMAIL:  cliffandlisa@octobersetters.com

OTHER OBSERVERS:

DATE REPORT PREPARED:   11/10/2006

DATE SIGHTING OCCURRED:   11/10/2006

LOCALITY OF OBSERVATION:
West end of Island Park Reservoir, near Island Park, Fremont County

HABITAT: Reservoir

CONDITIONS: I observed the bird at approximately 400 yards swimming on the water for about 10 minutes.  Wind was light, temp 30 degrees, sun behind coulds in late afternoon (4:00pm), spotting scoop eused was Swarovski 80mm HD w/20-60x eyepeice set at 40-60x. 

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?:
Sibley Guide to Birds

DESCRIPTION: 
Small white-cheeked goose, black head and neck, brown upperparts, tannish underparts, white patch on "cheek", from bottom line of face below eye extending upwards and toward the hindcrown.  About half the size of Canada Geese and obviously larger than Mallard in direct comparison.  Breast was darker than other nearby Canada Geese but not dark bronze as in minima race of Cackling Goose.  White cheek patch narrower than most Canada Geese in the area (about 500 Canada Geese were in the same area).  Bill smaller than Canada Geese in direct comparison.  Neck appeared shorter and head was squared off, peaked at the forecrown and hindcrown.  Bill/forehead angle appeared steeper than Canada Geese.  Distance was too far to accurately judge bill shape. 

BEHAVIOR: 
Swimming in tight group of five geese.  At one point it lagged behind to preen a bit.   When swimming to catch up with the other four geese it was with it performed "head bobbing" five or six times.  This head bobbing was very similar to that done by Trumpeter Swans.  The head was lowered by dropping the neck, not reaching down ahead of the breast buwith the head but droppingthe head down near the breast, then raised quickly to a fully extended neck posture.  Later when the group was swimming they all stopped but the Cackling Goose kept swimming, leaving the group and never returning while I watched.  No calls were heard.

HOW AND WHEN DID YOU POSITIVELY IDENTIFY THE BIRD, AND WHAT CLINCHED THE IDENTIFICATION FOR YOU?
The small size is what attracted my attention.  The bird was enough smaller than nearby Canada Geese that I immediately suspected Cackling Goose rather than typical variation in size within Canada Goose.  Upon further observation I noted the slightly darker breast, short neck, small bill, and square head, all pointing to the identification of Cackling Goose.

HOW DID YOU ELIMINATE SIMILAR SPECIES, AND WHAT WERE THEY?
The only sepcies that can be confused with Cackling Goose is Canada Goose.  All races of Canada Goose have larger bill and rounded head.  These marks are diagnostic and eliminate the possibility of a runt Canada Goose.

EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SPECIES (AND SIMILAR SPECIES): 
 I've seen many thousands of Canada Geese and have studied them carefully for the past three years.  I've only seen ten or so Cackling Geese that I had an opportunity to study closely.

GENERAL BIRDING EXPERIENCE: 
 13 years, at least ten as a serious birder.

WERE PHOTO(S), VIDEO, AND/OR AUDIO OBTAINED BY YOU?: 
None