Greetings All


The topic of Barnacle Geese is one that I've been fond of for quite some time. America's 100 Most Wanted Birds (written by Michael O'Brien and me) covered Barnacle Geese.


There are a large number of records randomly scattered across North America, and then a concentration on the Atlantic Seaboard from NC and to the north.


This pattern existed BEFORE their population surged, and thus the records from around North America listed in that book were not related to this species' relatively recent increase in population.


Barnacle Geese are common in captivity.
The also are fond of interbreeding with white-cheeked geese (they apparently evolved from Cackling Geese). Hybrids in Europe with Canada Geese (where Canadas have been introduced) are not rare, and Barnacle x Canada and Barnacle x Cackling Goose hybrids are not rare in captivity.


I have noted that, even in very respectable bird collections, some birds have their toes intact. I imagine in more casual collections, this phenomenon is more common


The Portland area has a number of avid aviculturalists


A couple points on this:
1) Most escaped waterfowl, act stupid re: predators, and don't last long
2) Some hook up with wild birds, and after a matter of weeks, adapt their wild-type behavior.
3) Indeed, the crowned-crane from Fir Island is in captivity, is a known escapee (from a collection on Whidbey, if I recall correctly), and it is terrified of people. It has its toes and no bands.
4) If a Barnacle Goose were to escape in the Portland area, joining a flock of Cackling Geese would be a natural thing to do. It would not be unexpected for it to then migrate north with its new-found fellows, and breeding could ensue, producing the hybrid birds that were photographed.
5) Alternatively, the Barnacle Goose could have escaped with the hybrids from captivity and joined the Cacklers.


One thing that has remained clear as others have continued to keep tabs on Barnacle Goose sightings around the country. There continues to be a scattering of records from hither and yon, California to w. Canada, yet the number along the n. Atlantic Coast has grown dramatically.


This does not bespeak natural occurrence away from the Atlantic Coast.
Also note that Barnacle Geese are, by and large, coastal birds. In and of itself, not conclusive, but just another fact pointing towards non-wild origin.


Is it possible that this goose is wild. Well, yes, nearly anything is possible. Is it likely; definitely not.


Best Wishes
Steven Mlodinow (from CO, which has also had Barnacle Goose records)