Cackling Goose
Branta hutchinsii
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<birdfyi-bird slug="branta-hutchinsii"></birdfyi-bird>About
A small version of the Canada Goose with a stubby bill, rounded head, and shorter neck. Long treated as a subspecies; now recognized as a separate species with four subspecies. Migrates from Arctic breeding grounds to wintering areas in the central United States. Gregarious; mixes with Canada Geese in winter.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 79.3 cm | 31.2 in |
| Weight | 1801.8 g | 63.56 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Resembles miniature Canada Goose; black head and neck with white chin strap. Brown-gray back; pale underparts. White undertail. Short neck and stubby bill distinguish from Canada Goose. Sexes similar.
Habitat & Range
Breeds on low-lying Arctic and subarctic tundra. Winters on grasslands, agricultural fields, and coastal marshes in the central and western United States. Often found in mixed flocks with Canada Geese.
Geographic Range
Breeds in Arctic Canada; winters on the Atlantic coast from New England to Florida, occasionally to the Bahamas and Gulf Coast.
Diet & Feeding
Grazes aquatic vegetation and sedges in Northern Hemisphere wetlands; migratory; winter diet of eelgrass and coastal saltmarsh plants.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: SC. Incubation: 25-27 days. Fledging: 42-49 days.
Clutch Size
3-6
Sound
Song
A high-pitched, yelping 'luk-luk' or 'likl-likl' — higher-pitched and smaller-sounding than Canada Goose. Given rapidly in flock flight. Useful identification feature.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes (Waterfowl) |
| Family | Anatidae (Ducks, Geese & Swans) |
| Genus | Branta |
| Species | Branta hutchinsii |
Distribution
Cackling Goose has been recorded in 10 countries.
{# Distribution Map — simplified SVG world map with highlighted countries. Expects `country_codes` variable: list of ISO alpha-2 codes (e.g. ["US", "CA", "MX"]). Uses Alpine.js to toggle classes on country paths. #}countries highlighted
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Cackling Goose eat?
Where does the Cackling Goose live?
Is the Cackling Goose endangered?
How does the Cackling Goose nest?
What does the Cackling Goose sound like?
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Similar Birds
Other species in the Anatidae family