BirdNote; Cacklers and Canadas

BirdNote®

Cacklers and Canadas

Written by Bob Sundstrom

This is BirdNote!

[Honking of larger form of Canada Goose, such as local resident moffitti/Western Canada Goose]

The syncopated honks of Canada Geese [Same honking, in the background] were once an unmistakable herald of autumn migration, as V-shaped flocks flew south. In recent decades, however, growing numbers of Canada Geese have remained in the Northwest throughout the year. [Honking of larger form of Canada Goose] One reason is the proliferation of suburban lawns and golf courses.

Still, as October arrives, another voice tells us that not all geese have forsaken their migratory ways. [Higher pitched Cackling Geese calls] You are hearing Cackling Geese, which sound like a falsetto version of the familiar Canada Goose.

[Cackling Goose calls]

Cackling Geese resemble a toy version of Canadas. Just a bit bigger than a Mallard, this compact goose has a dark breast, short neck, and stubby bill. Its small voice fits nicely its small size. [Cackling Goose calls] Although once considered a diminutive form of Canada Goose, recent genetic research shows Cacklers to be a separate species. They breed along the coast of Alaska and winter from Washington south to Mexico.

Look, and listen, for pint-sized Cackling Geese this fall at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge in southwest Washington and other spots where migratory geese gather.

[Cackling Goose calls]

For BirdNote, I’m Michael Stein.

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Bird audio provided by The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. Canada Goose calls recorded by W.W.H. Gunn. Cackling Goose calls recorded by G.A.Keller.

Producer: John Kessler

Executive Producer: Chris Peterson

© 2012 Tune In to Nature.org October 2017 Narrator: Michael Stein

ID# 101107geeseKPLU CCGOCAGO-02b