Taverner's Canada Goose

Updated November 28, 2004: I have updated the scientific names used on this page in line with the changes recently adopted by the American Ornithologist's Union's Committee on Classification and Nomenclature in the 45th supplement to the Checklist of North American Birds (Banks et al. 2004). The 11 previously recognized subspecies of Canada Goose Branta canadensis - canadensis (Atlantic), interior (Interior), maxima (Giant), moffitti (Moffitt's), parvipes (Lesser), fulva (Vancouver), occidentalis (Dusky), hutchinsii (Richardson's), leucopareia (Aleutian), taverneri (Taverner's) and minima (Cackling) - are now partitioned between two species, Canada Goose B. canadensis and Cackling Goose B. hutchinsii, as follows:

Canada Goose B. canadensis: canadensis (Atlantic), interior (Interior), maxima (Giant), moffitti (Moffitt's), parvipes (Lesser), fulva (Vancouver) and occidentalis (Dusky)

Cackling Goose B. hutchinsii: hutchinsii (Richardson's), leucopareia (Aleutian), taverneri (Taverner's) and minima (Cackling)

For further information on these various forms, see this useful summary on Angus Wilson's website. Separation of the "Canada" goose forms into two species represents a useful step forward in understanding the relationships between these various taxa, but selection of the name "Cackling Goose" for B. hutchinsii seems like a poor choice given that this name was previously used only for minima. I have therefore opted to continue using the common names mentioned above for the various taxa, reserving "Cackling Goose" specifically for minima.

Banks, R. C., C. Cicero, J. L. Dunn, A. W. Kratter, P. C. Rasmussen, J. V. Remsen, J. D. Rising, D. F. Stotz. 2004. Forty-fifth supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union Check-list of North American Birds. Auk 121:985-995

I initially thought this bird might be a Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii minima, but as Alvaro Jaramillo has pointed out, this bird looks too bulky for that form, with neck and legs that are too long and a bill that is too big, and it is probably a better match for Lesser Canada Goose B. canadensis parvipes or Taverner's Goose B. h. taverneri. The moderately dark underparts and black line on the throat, bisecting the white chinstrap, suggest this bird is a taverneri. For comparison, some recent photographs of Cackling Geese can be found here and photographs of Aleutian Geese can be found here. Many thanks to Alvaro for his comments. All comments on the identification of these birds are gratefully received (e-mail me).

1. Taverner's Goose Branta hutchinsii taverneri, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California, USA, November 26, 2003. Although clearly a small and dingy Canada Goose, actual size was hard to judge because, in this urban setting, there were no other Canada Geese or other waterfowl around to compare it with. The neck is relatively short, the head box-shaped and the bill looks proportionately short and deep. The blurry demarcation between black neck and brown breast, and the crisp edges indicate this bird is a juvenile.

2. Taverner's Goose B. h. taverneri, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California, USA, November 26, 2003. Same individual as above. The breast looks quite dark and the white chinstrap is fairly narrow and dull-looking.

3. Taverner's Goose B. h. taverneri, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California, USA, November 26, 2003. Same individual as above. Note that the white chinstrap is completely bisected by a wide black stripe down the middle of the throat - this was visible in the field and appeared not to be simply the result of shadow on the underside of the head.

New photos added 01-01-2004:

4. Taverner's Goose B. h. taverneri, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California, USA, December 6, 2003. Same individual as above. This bird was still present on December 6, when light conditions were better for photography.

5. Taverner's Goose B. h. taverneri, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California, USA, December 6, 2003. Same individual as above. Again note the thick black stripe on the chin, bisecting the white chinstrap.

6. Taverner's Goose B. h. taverneri, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California, USA, December 6, 2003. Same individual as above.