Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2005-19
| Common name: |
Cackling Goose |
| Scientific name: | Branta hutchinsii |
| Date: | 02/18/2004 |
| Time: | 10:30 a.m. |
| Length of time observed: | 15 to 20 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | |
| Sex: | |
| Location: | Sand Hollow Reservoir |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | 15 to 25 yards |
| Optical equipment: | Pentax 10x42 Binoculars, Pentax 8x42 Binoculars, Bausch & Lomb Scope |
| Weather: | Sunny with a few clouds |
| Light Conditions: | Good |
| Description: Size of bird: | |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
This was a small goose, slightly larger than a Mallard, but obviously smaller
than the Canada Geese it was with. The coloring on the head and neck was black, and the bird had a white chin. It had a small head and short neck. The bill size was small-- proportionate to the small head. The bird's breast was medium brown from the neck to the water line without white or a pale area directly beneath the black neck. The body and wings were the same color as the breast. The wings had black tips. The rump and undertail where white with black on the tip of the tail visible under the folded wings. Both the lower belly and legs were hidden below the water line. |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | Not heard |
| Behavior: | Swimming in water near the shoreline of the reservoir with several Canada Geese and nearby to 5 or 6 Mallards. |
| Habitat: | Reservoir shallows close to shoreline. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Canada Geese nearby were much larger in overall size. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Many, many Canada Geese observed, but never a Cackling Goose. |
| References consulted: | Sibley, National Geographic |
| Description from: | Notes made later |
| Observer: | Kathy and Joel Beyer |
| Observer's address: | 1719 Hillcrest Avenue, Salt Lake City, UT 84106 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | twobirders@juno.com |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | None |
| Date prepared: | 06/11/2005 |
| Additional material: | No_additional_Materials |
| Additional comments: |