Cackling goose vs. Canada goose

A favorite radio broadcast for bird enthusiasts is BirdNote, the daily two-minute NPR show that
combines bird sounds with interesting stories. It is broadcast twice daily during Morning Edition
by KNKX, one of our local NPR stations.

This past Monday, BirdNote featured a discussion of a challenge for many beginning bird watchers, telling the difference between two similar species.

Ironically, the two species the program featured, cackling goose and Canada goose, was on my mind because over the weekend I received a reader’s note about the same identification challenge.

In 2004, the American Ornithologists Union, after extensive discussions, made the decision to
recognize the cackling goose as a separate species. Up until then many bird watchers were simply noting that there were small Canadas and large Canadas, and the smaller ones sounded a lot different.

During the fall and winter, Thurston County is visited by large flocks of cackling geese. This is
one easy species distinction — cacklers hang out in large flocks whereas Canadas, at least around
here, are usually seen in much smaller groups or pairs.

Cackling geese.

George Walter | The JOLT

Both species have black heads and necks, a bold white cheek patch, brownish gray bodies and
white rear ends. And, as with almost all goose species, the sexes are identical.

Here are the key characteristics that distinguish cacklers: First, the cackling goose is much smaller, just a bit larger than a mallard. And their necks are
much shorter than the long necks of Canada. This is especially obvious in flight.

The heads of cacklers are smaller and blocky, and their bills are short and stubby. Canada geese
have large head and sloping bill perched on top of those long necks.

Finally, there is a major distinction in vocalizations. Cackling geese vocalize a high-pitched yelp and cackle, and they are constantly vocalizing to each other. Canadas, in contrast, have a deep distinctive two-note honk. They vocalize on the wing but, unless alarmed, are often quiet when they are on the ground.

Cackling geese have several subspecies and, of those visiting Thurston County, one has a
particularly interesting story.

It is the Aleutian cackling goose and it can be identified by having a white collar at the base of its black neck. The breeding range of this subspecies is restricted to the Aleutian Islands, the chain of small mountainous islands off southwest Alaska that form an arc extending toward Asia.

At one time these islands were home to this subspecies and many other unusual bird species.
Unfortunately, to create semi-captive breeding populations, foxes were introduced to up to 190
of the Aleutian Islands, resulting in the extinction of many ground breeding bird species. Rats, introduced inadvertently, also played a role in the devastation.

Aleutian cackling geese.

George Walter | The JOLT

At one time the Aleutian cackler was thought to be extinct, but one island, Buldir Island, was so
inaccessible that it was not visited by fox breeders and had remained free of mammalian predators. A 1962 inventory at the island estimated the goose population at 300.

The Aleutian cackling goose eventually was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and a recovery program was initiated, involving a captive breeding program developed from goslings captured on Buldir Island.

In the meantime, the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge was created, including many of the unoccupied Aleutian Islands. As part of the refuge habitat recovery plan, foxes, rats and other introduced predators were cleared from some of the islands and eventually cackling geese were introduced to previously non-secure locations.

The recovery plan has been amazingly successful and is a premier example of the value of our ESA and the aggressive recovery plans it supports. By 2001 the Aleutian cackling goose ESA status was no longer endangered and its numbers continue to grow. Currently the population of this subspecies is 200,000+, with most of their numbers wintering in Central California, but some spending their winters right here in Thurston County.

Bird flu update

Avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, is in the news. The overall risk level in Washington is still rated as “low,” but it’s time to review precautions. I have written about bird flu in Thurston’s Birds several times, including a lengthy description in the 12/26/24 edition of the JOLT.

As with all flu, avian influenza is a virus-caused respiratory illness that, because it attacks the critical breathing function, can cause severe health complications including death. In recent years it has caused massive die-offs in some avian breeding colonies, places there is close contact between individual birds and the possibility of rapid disease spread.

Some bird populations, waterfowl in particular, seem to have resistance to the disease and, because they are often long-distance migrants, they can spread bird flu rapidly. Commercial poultry flocks are also vulnerable. Bird flu can be transmitted to mammals; cattle and cats seem to be particularly vulnerable.

Humans can catch bird flu and last month a Yakima County resident died of bird flu after being exposed to the disease through infected cattle. There is no known case of human-to-human transmission.

Earlier this month bird flu was detected in a large commercial poultry flock in nearby Pierce County. So, this disease is here, now; here are some practices that you should follow.

If you have a chicken flock, keep them indoors to avoid contact with wild birds. The larger wild birds are of greater danger because the carry a larger virus load, but any wild bird could be a virus carrier.

If you have any sick birds, immediately report to the Washington Department of Agriculture’s Sick Bird Hotline at 1-800-606-3056. This is vital to contain any disease outbreak.

There are no recommended changes for bird feeder activities. If you must remove a dead bird, do so with minimal contact and perhaps wear a mask (I suspect that we all still have them around).

A greater danger to manage is the risk of bird flu to cats. Keeping your cat indoors is best, of course. If outdoor cats are in direct contact with birds, they should be monitored. If they develop cold or flu symptoms, they probably should receive veterinary care.

George Walter is environmental program manager at the Nisqually Indian Tribe’s natural
resources department; he also has a 45+ year interest in bird watching. He may be reached at
george@theJOLTnews.com.

Photos for this column are provided by Liam Hutcheson, a 19-year-old Olympia area birder and
avid photographer.