Formerly endangered, this race has recovered after introduced predators were removed from their nesting islands. Their population has gone from fewer than 800 individual birds in 1974 to over 150,000 today.
The Cackling Goose was originally lumped with the larger Canada Goose (B.canadensis). The two can be difficult to tell apart in the field. The Cackling Goose is smaller with a stubbier bill and squarer head. This is the race B. h. leucopareia which breeds in the Aleutians and winters in Oregon and California. Adults such as this are characterized by a broad white neck ring which expands in front and contrasts with a darker brown band below.
Reference
Mlodinow, S.G., P.F. Springer, B. Deuel, L.S. Semo, T. Leukering, T. Doug Schonewald, W. Tweit, and J.H. Barry. 2008. Distribution and identification of Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii) subspecies. North Amer. Birds 62: 344-360.
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS.