Cackling Streak is Alive

Last year I had a streak going. Sept 15 to early December, at least one Cackling Goose per week - often more!

This year the streak didn't start until Sept 30, and barely kept it going today. One adult Richardson's in the last flock of geese. Photo:

Click for large-size. Middle bird. Note how most CACG (adults only) are paler than the Canada Geese they hang around with. This is a large-end CACG, but still has the good bill-shape and long flight feathers. It's also hanging around with Todd's Canada Geese, which is why they look so small!

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And with that being all fine and dandy, it's time to blow your mind. Or maybe raise a mildly interesting point:

- click - middle bird

Shazzam... What the heck is that? Well it's an adult Todd's Canada Goose wearing Richardson's Cackling Goose clothes. Very pale body colour with bold feather edges. A good learning bird. I probably find 25 to 50 Cackling Geese before I find a Canada that looks like this.

Pale body colour - excellent way to find Richardson's Cackler's in Ontario (adults).. Does it work 100% of the time? No... But it's pretty good place to start.


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good day today, in the ever-spinning low pressure system. TONS of sparrows everywhere, pipits, my first Longspurs of the fall, Common AND Caspian Terns (yes, they're still here).. Osprey.. Great day to be birding.