| Picture | Title | Caption | Copyright |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | Branta hutchinsii (cackling goose); adult. This species has a rounder head and a shorter, stubbier bill than the larger Canada Goose (Branta Canadensis). Morro Strand State Beach, Morro Bay, California, USA. November 2012. | ©Michael 'Mike' L. Baird-2012/via flickr - CC BY 2.0 | |
| Adult | Branta hutchinsii (cackling goose); adult, close view of head. This species has a rounder head and a shorter, stubbier bill than the larger Canada Goose (Branta Canadensis). Morro Strand State Beach, Morro Bay, California, USA. November 2012. | ©Michael 'Mike' L. Baird-2012/via flickr - CC BY 2.0 |
Datasheet
Branta hutchinsii
Index
- Pictures
- Identity
- Summary of Invasiveness
- Taxonomic Tree
- Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Description
- Distribution
- Distribution Table
- History of Introduction and Spread
- Introductions
- Risk of Introduction
- Habitat
- Habitat List
- Biology and Ecology
- Climate
- Latitude/Altitude Ranges
- Natural enemies
- Means of Movement and Dispersal
- Pathway Causes
- Impact Summary
- Economic Impact
- Environmental Impact
- Social Impact
- Risk and Impact Factors
- Uses
- Uses List
- Similarities to Other Species/Conditions
- Prevention and Control
- Gaps in Knowledge/Research Needs
- References
- Links to Websites
- Organizations
- Contributors
- Distribution Maps
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Top of pageIdentity
Top of pagePreferred Scientific Name
- Branta hutchinsii (Richardson, 1832)
Other Scientific Names
- Branta canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758)
International Common Names
- English: cackling Canada goose; cackling goose; lesser Canada goose
Summary of Invasiveness
Top of pageB. hutchinsii has been introduced to several countries but has not yet been recorded forming breeding populations that are separate from those of B. canadensis in the same areas.
Taxonomic Tree
Top of page- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Metazoa
- Phylum: Chordata
- Subphylum: Vertebrata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Anseriformes
- Family: Anatidae
- Genus: Branta
- Species: Branta hutchinsii
Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
Top of pageThe cackling goose Branta hutchinsii has recently been separated as a full species from its close relative the Canada goose B. canadensis (Banks et al., 2004; Sangster et al., 2005). The taxonomy of this species pair is highly complex, however, and further taxonomic refinements may follow from ongoing research. As many as five species and 186 subspecies have been claimed (Hanson, 1997). The cackling goose as currently defined includes the five races hutchinsii, taverneri, minima (the original ‘cackling Canada goose’), leucopareia and asiatica, although the last of these was poorly differentiated from leucopareia and is believed to be extinct. The races parvipes (retained within B. canadensis) and taverneri, which frequently intergrade, were collectively referred to as ‘lesser Canada goose’; this common name is sometimes used for B. hutchinsii as a whole, but is confusing and is not recommended.
The split is observed here. As far as possible, this account refers only to the species hutchinsii, although much of the literature from which it is drawn treats canadensis and hutchinsii together under canadensis.
Description
Top of pageB. hutchinsii are very similar to B. canadensis races in plumage pattern but occupy the small and dark end of the range of variation. Like that species they have a dark brown body, a black head and neck and a white chin-patch. Many B. hutchinsii have a white mark or line between the black neck and the brown breast, as do some B. canadensis. The bill of B. hutchinsii is proportionately shorter than that of B. canadensis, as is the neck. Calls are higher-pitched and the race minima in particular sounds ‘cackling’. For further details, see for example Sibley (2004).
Distribution
Top of pageThere is no systematic information on where B. hutchinsii are held in captivity. Partly in consequence, information is likely to be poor also on where isolated escapes or releases have occurred. Since the split from B. canadensis is so recent, it is likely that occurrences of B. hutchinsii are not yet being fully reported.
Distribution Table
Top of pageThe distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report.
Last updated: 10 Jan 2020| Continent/Country/Region | Distribution | Last Reported | Origin | First Reported | Invasive | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Asia |
|||||||
| Japan | Absent, Formerly present | Native wintering population is extinct | |||||
| -Hokkaido | Absent, Formerly present | Native wintering population extinct | |||||
| -Honshu | Absent, Formerly present | Native wintering population extinct | |||||
Europe |
|||||||
| Iceland | Present, Few occurrences | Native | |||||
| Ireland | Present, Few occurrences | Introduced | Potential occurence of vagrants from native range is awaiting ratification | ||||
| Netherlands | Present, Localized | Introduced | @ 200 pairs in 2005 | ||||
| Russia | |||||||
| -Russian Far East | Absent, Formerly present | Breeding population of Commander and Kuril Islands (race asiatica) is extinct | |||||
| Svalbard and Jan Mayen | Present, Few occurrences | Native | |||||
| United Kingdom | Present, Few occurrences | Introduced | Potential occurence of vagrants from native range is awaiting ratification | ||||
North America |
|||||||
| Canada | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -British Columbia | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -Manitoba | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -Northwest Territories | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -Nunavut | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -Ontario | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -Saskatchewan | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -Yukon | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| Greenland | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| Mexico | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| United States | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -Alaska | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -Arkansas | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -California | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -Colorado | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -Connecticut | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -Florida | Present, Few occurrences | Native | |||||
| -Hawaii | Present, Few occurrences | Native | |||||
| -Idaho | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -Illinois | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -Indiana | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -Iowa | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -Kansas | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -Louisiana | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -Maine | Present, Few occurrences | Native | |||||
| -Massachusetts | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -Michigan | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -Mississippi | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -Missouri | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -Nebraska | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -New Jersey | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -New York | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -North Carolina | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -North Dakota | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -Oklahoma | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -Oregon | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -Pennsylvania | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -South Carolina | Present, Few occurrences | Native | |||||
| -South Dakota | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -Texas | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -Utah | Present, Few occurrences | Native | |||||
| -Washington | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
| -Wisconsin | Present, Localized | Native | |||||
Oceania |
|||||||
| Marshall Islands | Present, Few occurrences | Native | |||||
| New Zealand | Absent, Formerly present | 1920 | Probably taverneri | ||||
History of Introduction and Spread
Top of pageThe racial identity of early releases of ‘Canada goose’ to New Zealand was not recorded, but in 1920 ten birds probably of the race taverneri, now assigned to B. hutchinsii, were released in North Canterbury (Long, 1981). These birds probably intermixed with existing and subsequent imports of larger, B. canadensis races and are no longer recognisable as B. hutchinsii.
A number of Canada goose races are likely to have been introduced to the UK and elsewhere in Europe, where they have intermixed freely. During the 1980s it is reported that 40 small-race birds were released in Britain (Blair et al., 2000), presumably attributable to the presently defined B. hutchinsii.
The B. hutchinsii population of the Netherlands was estimated at 200 pairs in 2005 (Voslamber et al., 2007) but it is not known to what extent these birds constitute a breeding population that is isolated from B. canadensis.
Vagrant individuals from North America occur regularly in Iceland, and have reached Svalbard and possibly Jan Mayen, as well as Hawaii and other Pacific islands. Presumed vagrants also occur annually in the UK and Ireland but the status of these birds as vagrants from the native range is awaiting ratification by the relevant authorities.
Introductions
Top of page| Introduced to | Introduced from | Year | Reason | Introduced by | Established in wild through | References | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural reproduction | Continuous restocking | |||||||
| Ireland | Escape from confinement or garden escape (pathway cause) | No | Occurences may all relate to vagrants from native range | |||||
| Netherlands | Yes | Banks et al. (2008) | ||||||
| New Zealand | 1920 | No | Long (1981) | |||||
| UK | Escape from confinement or garden escape (pathway cause) | No | Blair et al. (2000) | Some occurences are probably of vagrants from native range | ||||
Risk of Introduction
Top of pageThe risk of introduction of this species is unclear. In areas where B. canadensis is already present, it is perhaps likely that mixed pairing would occur with that species. This would be a conservation issue in areas where B. hutchinsii would interbreed with native B. canadensis.
Habitat
Top of pageB. hutchinsii nest on high-arctic tundra. They winter mostly in traditional sites that offer suitable grazing and water bodies that act as refuges and loafing sites.
Whereas flocks of B. canadensis may damage plants by overgrazing or trampling, it is perhaps less likely that B. hutchinsii, being smaller, less abundant and more tied to natural habitats, would cause significant damage
Habitat List
Top of page| Category | Sub-Category | Habitat | Presence | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrestrial | Managed | Cultivated / agricultural land | Principal habitat | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
| Terrestrial | Managed | Managed grasslands (grazing systems) | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
| Terrestrial | Managed | Urban / peri-urban areas | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
| Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Natural grasslands | Principal habitat | Natural |
| Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Riverbanks | Principal habitat | Natural |
| Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Wetlands | Principal habitat | Natural |
| Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Cold lands / tundra | Principal habitat | Natural |
| Freshwater | Irrigation channels | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Natural | |
| Freshwater | Lakes | Principal habitat | Natural | |
| Freshwater | Reservoirs | Principal habitat | Natural | |
| Freshwater | Rivers / streams | Principal habitat | Natural | |
| Freshwater | Ponds | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Natural |
Biology and Ecology
Top of pageGenetics
The wide variability in size and plumage within the Canada/cackling species group is likely to have some genetic basis as well as environmental causes, but it is insufficient to prevent the remixing of the races where they are brought into contact by translocations and introductions.
Reproductive Biology
B. hutchinsii are not known to differ significantly from B. canadensis in its reproductive biology. B. canadensis become sexually mature after two years but usually begin breeding at 3–5 years. They form monogamous pairs that may remain together for many years. A clutch of typically 4–7 eggs is laid in a scrape on the ground, filled with grass, moss or twigs and lined with soft feathers and down. Nests are typically close to water and often on islands or raised ground that affords a good lookout for potential predators. Both sexes defend the nest vigorously. Once the eggs hatch the female leads the chicks quickly to water. For further details, see for example Kear (2005).
Physiology and Phenology
As a specialist breeding bird of high latitudes, B. hutchinsii has only a brief summer period in which to arrive, raise young and depart for snow-free wintering grounds. Breeding begins in mid May. The young fledge in only six weeks, as opposed to 8–9 weeks in the larger B. canadensis. Adults undergo a complete moult during late summer, during which they become flightless, and both adults and young are fit to undertake migration or dispersal by autumn.
Nutrition
Canada geese feed largely by grazing on grassland and crops. Their food is almost exclusively plant matter including roots, rhizomes, tubers, stems, leaves, fruits and seeds (Cramp and Simmons, 1977). This summary, describing canadensis and hutchinsii together, is likely to apply exactly also to hutchinsii alone.
Climate
Top of page| Climate | Status | Description | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cf - Warm temperate climate, wet all year | Preferred | Warm average temp. > 10°C, Cold average temp. > 0°C, wet all year | |
| Cs - Warm temperate climate with dry summer | Preferred | Warm average temp. > 10°C, Cold average temp. > 0°C, dry summers | |
| Ds - Continental climate with dry summer | Preferred | Continental climate with dry summer (Warm average temp. > 10°C, coldest month < 0°C, dry summers) | |
| ET - Tundra climate | Preferred | Tundra climate (Average temp. of warmest month < 10°C and > 0°C) |
Latitude/Altitude Ranges
Top of page| Latitude North (°N) | Latitude South (°S) | Altitude Lower (m) | Altitude Upper (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24-72 |
Natural enemies
Top of page| Natural enemy | Type | Life stages | Specificity | References | Biological control in | Biological control on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alopex lagopus | Predator | not specific |
Means of Movement and Dispersal
Top of pageB. hutchinsii have long migrations that take them to more northerly breeding locations and more southerly wintering grounds than the B. canadensis. The races leucopareia and minima migrate from Alaska across the northern Pacific to winter in inland California, Oregon and neighbouring states of western USA. More easterly breeders migrate through the Great Plains to winter in south-central USA and adjacent northeast Mexico.
Accidental Introduction
Accidental introduction of B. hutchinsii will have occurred wherever the species is kept in captivity, as occasional individuals have escaped from wildfowl collections, or as young hatched within the collection but left unpinioned have dispersed away.
Intentional Introduction
Intentional introductions of B. hutchinsii have been made as an ornamental species for parkland lakes or as intended quarry for shooting.
Pathway Causes
Top of page| Cause | Notes | Long Distance | Local | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acclimatization societies | Yes | Lever (2005) | ||
| Escape from confinement or garden escape | Yes | Lever (2005) | ||
| Ornamental purposes | Yes | Lever (2005) |
Economic Impact
Top of pageWhereas B. canadensis can have severe economic impacts through air strikes and agricultural damage, the smaller and less numerous B. hutchinsii is likely to have much lower impacts in these areas.
Environmental Impact
Top of pageImpact on Biodiversity
Introduced B. hutchinsii interbreed readily with other races of their own species and with B. canadensis, and so could have significant impact on biodiversity when introduced within the native ranges of these species in North America.
Social Impact
Top of pageIt is possible that B. hutchinsii may have some social impact through fouling or disease transmission, but no such impacts have yet been clearly identified.
Risk and Impact Factors
Top of page
Invasiveness
- Has a broad native range
- Abundant in its native range
- Highly adaptable to different environments
- Tolerates, or benefits from, cultivation, browsing pressure, mutilation, fire etc
- Highly mobile locally
- Long lived
- Has high reproductive potential
- Gregarious
- Has high genetic variability
- Negatively impacts agriculture
- Hybridization
- Highly likely to be transported internationally deliberately
- Highly likely to be transported internationally illegally
- Difficult to identify/detect in the field
Uses
Top of pageEconomic Value
B. hutchinsii is hunted along its migration flyways and in its wintering grounds in North America.
Uses List
Top of pageEnvironmental
- Amenity
General
- Sport (hunting, shooting, fishing, racing)
Human food and beverage
- Meat/fat/offal/blood/bone (whole, cut, fresh, frozen, canned, cured, processed or smoked)
- Oil/fat
Similarities to Other Species/Conditions
Top of pageDistinguishing B. canadensis from B. hutchinsii and potential hybrids with that species is complex and difficult, given the wide range of variation in the size and plumage tones of both species (Wilson, 2003; Sibley, 2004).
Prevention and Control
Top of pageDue to the variable regulations around (de)registration of pesticides, your national list of registered pesticides or relevant authority should be consulted to determine which products are legally allowed for use in your country when considering chemical control. Pesticides should always be used in a lawful manner, consistent with the product's label.
Prevention
SPS measures
Most European countries and North American states and provinces have laws intended to control trade in non-native species and the circumstances in which they can be released. These should cover non-native geese, but may either exclude translocations within a country or trading zone, or be difficult or impossible to enforce where no import/export controls apply.
Public awareness
There is clearly a need for increasing public awareness of the dangers of introducing non-native geese to new areas and of translocating them within areas where they already occur.
Gaps in Knowledge/Research Needs
Top of pageFurther and more detailed information is needed on the impacts of B. hutchinsii, to strengthen the case for control measures and to discourage further introductions and translocations.
References
Top of pageCallaghan DA; Green AJ, 1993. Wildfowl at risk, 1993. Wildfowl, 44:149-169.
Kear J, 2005. Ducks, Geese and Swans. Volume 1. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
Lever C, 2005. Naturalised birds of the world. London, UK: T & AD Poyser.
Long JL, 1981. Introduced birds of the world. Newton Abbot, UK: David & Charles.
NOBANIS, 2008. North European and Baltic Network on Invasive Alien Species. http://www.nobanis.org
Distribution References
CABI, Undated. CABI Compendium: Status as determined by CABI editor. Wallingford, UK: CABI
Lever C, 2005. Naturalised birds of the world. London, UK: T & AD Poyser.
Links to Websites
Top of page| Website | URL | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean Wanderers - goose id and range | http://www.oceanwanderers.com/CAGO.Subspecies.html | |
| Ontario Field Ornithologists - cackling goose | http://www.ofo.ca/reportsandarticles/cacklinggoose.php | |
| Sibley Guides - Canada goose | http://www.sibleyguides.com/2007/07/identification-of-cackling-and-canada-goose/ | |
| Utah Birds - new goose | http://www.utahbirds.org/RecCom/NewGoose.htm |
Organizations
Top of pageWorld: BirdLife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge, CB3 0NA, UK, http://www.birdlife.org
Contributors
Top of page31/08/09 Original text by:
John Marchant, British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, IP24 2PU, UK
Distribution Maps
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