Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii) and "Lesser" Canada Goose , McCormick Ranch.

A distant shot of one of the two Cackling Geese present on 13 Feb 2006 at the ponds near the confluence of the Agua Fria and Salt Rivers in W. Phoenix south of where Southern Ave ends.  The swimming birds are led by a "Lesser" Canada Goose, followed by two "larger" Canada Geese with the Cackling Goose bringing up the rear. The most common visitor in Arizona of "Lesser" Canada Goose is Branta Canadensis parvipes , the most frequent of the larger subspecies is B.c moffitti

Of interest for comparison with the above Cackling Goose is this apparent "Lesser" Canada Goose also at the ponds near the confluence of the Agua Fria and Salt Rivers in W. Phoenix

For a detailed discussion of identification and taxonomy of Canada and Cackling Goose see David Allen Sibley's excellent article at: http://www.sibleyguides.com/canada_cackling.htm

12 February 2006 photos by Michael C. Moore