Cackling Geese at Green Pond ~ December 18, 2011

I stopped at Green Pond after doing the Wild Creek / Little Gap Christmas Bird Count and found a few Cackling Geese among about about a thousand Canadas and about 1500 Snow Geese.

A "Richardson's" Cackling Goose with a Canada Goose at the flooded fields by Green Pond, Northampton County. In comparison to the Canada Goose, note the Cackling's much smaller overall size and its more silvery or grayish appearance, shorter neck, stubbier bill, and more vertical forehead, which makes the head look 'blocky'. Another trait that most Cackling Geese show is a white 'chinstrap' that often appears wider and more horizontal at its top edge.

The continuing Sandhill Crane has now been present over five months!

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