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

1. Taverner's Goose Branta hutchinsii taverneri, Arrowhead Marsh, Alameda County, California, USA, January 25, 2004. This bird was intermediate in size between the accompanying larger Canada Geese B. canadensis (moffitti?) and smaller Aleutian Geese B. h. leucopareia, and preferred the company of a pale, similarly sized bird identified as a Lesser Canada Goose B. c. parvipes (for photos of this bird, click here). This bird is very dark, with a greatly reduced chin strap bisected by a substantial black stripe down the middle of the chin. Note the small bill and long, thin neck.

2. Taverner's Goose B. h. taverneri, Arrowhead Marsh, Alameda County, California, USA, January 25, 2004. Same individual as above.

3. Taverner's Goose B. h. taverneri, Arrowhead Marsh, Alameda County, California, USA, January 25, 2004. Same individual as above. Note the black stripe on the chin, bisecting the white chin strap. For photos of a similar bird also thought to be a Taverner's, click here.

4. Taverner's Goose B. h. taverneri (behind, right), with Lesser Canada Goose B. c. parvipes (behind, left) and Canada Goose B. c. (moffitti?) (foreground, facing camera), Arrowhead Marsh, Alameda County, California, USA, January 25, 2004. Note the slightly larger bill of the Lesser.