Greetings All

I hope the new NGS guide gets this right, because every book preceding it
seems confused.

Dusky (occidentalis) Geese are currently considered Canada Geese not
Cackling. Indeed, they are a fairly hefty bird, almost as large as our normal moffitti
. The "borderline" between Canada and Cackling is drawn at Taverner's (
taverneri) being the largest Cackler and Lesser (parvipes) being the smallest Canada.


Of course the Brits, to confuse matters further, split the former "Canada
Goose" into two species, following the same lines as the AOU. Thus, parvipes
(Lesser Canada Goose) is still considered a Canada Goose. However, they've named
the two species Lesser Canada Goose and Greater Canada Goose. So, the Lesser
Canada Goose (parvipes) is a Greater Canada Goose!!!

Criminy!!!

By the way, an excellent website on the subject is:
http://www.sibleyguides.com/canada_cackling.htm

Best Wishes and Good Birding
Steven Mlodinow
Everett WA