Subject: Canada Goose split
Date: Jul 22 17:26:40 2004
From: Hill - hill at smwireless.net


a. Cackling Goose (Anser hutchinsii) [the small forms] includes the former
Canada Goose subspecies hutchinsii [Richarson's], asiatica
[Bering-extinct?], leucopareia [Aleutian], taverneri [part of the Lesser
complex], and minima.

b. Canada Goose (Anser canadensis) now includes the subspecies canadensis
[Atlantic], interior [Interior], maxima [Giant], moffitti [Moffit's],
parvipes [the other part of the Lesser complex], fulva [Vancouver], and
occidentalis [Dusky].

The Checklist committee telegraphs that more splits of this complex may be
yet to come. [The separation of the Lesser complex may present a field
challenge.] For a good treatment of Canada Goose subspecies (prior to the
release of this supplement), check Angus Wilson's web site at ...

http://www.oceanwanderers.com/CAGO.Subspecies.html

I will add to Ian's forward that the Lesser complex already presents a field challenge.

Randy Hill
Othello