Branta hutchinsii

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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

Identity

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Preferred 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

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B. 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

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Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Metazoa
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Branta
Species: Branta hutchinsii

Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature

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The 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

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B. 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

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There 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

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The 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	Origin	First Reported	Reference	Notes
Asia
Japan	Absent, Formerly present			Banks et al. (2004)	Native wintering population is extinct
-Hokkaido	Absent, Formerly present			Banks et al. (2004)	Native wintering population extinct
-Honshu	Absent, Formerly present			Banks et al. (2004)	Native wintering population extinct
Europe
Iceland	Present, Few occurrences	Native		NOBANIS (2008)
Ireland	Present, Few occurrences	Introduced		Cramp and Simmons (1977)	Potential occurence of vagrants from native range is awaiting ratification
Netherlands	Present, Localized	Introduced		Voslamber et al. (2007)	@ 200 pairs in 2005
Russia
-Russian Far East	Absent, Formerly present			Banks et al. (2004)	Breeding population of Commander and Kuril Islands (race asiatica) is extinct
Svalbard and Jan Mayen	Present, Few occurrences	Native		NOBANIS (2008)
United Kingdom	Present, Few occurrences	Introduced		Banks et al. (2008)	Potential occurence of vagrants from native range is awaiting ratification
North America
Canada	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
-British Columbia	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
-Manitoba	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
-Northwest Territories	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
-Nunavut	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
-Ontario	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
-Saskatchewan	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
-Yukon	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
Greenland	Present, Localized	Native		Fox et al. (1996)
Mexico	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
United States	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
-Alaska	Present, Localized	Native		Stackhouse (2004)
-Arkansas	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
-California	Present, Localized	Native		Stackhouse (2004)
-Colorado	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
-Connecticut	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
-Florida	Present, Few occurrences	Native		Banks et al. (2004)
-Hawaii	Present, Few occurrences	Native		Banks et al. (2004)
-Idaho	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
-Illinois	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
-Indiana	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
-Iowa	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
-Kansas	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
-Louisiana	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
-Maine	Present, Few occurrences	Native		Banks et al. (2004)
-Massachusetts	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
-Michigan	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
-Mississippi	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
-Missouri	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
-Nebraska	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
-New Jersey	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
-New York	Present, Localized	Native		CABI (Undated)
-North Carolina	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
-North Dakota	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
-Oklahoma	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
-Oregon	Present, Localized	Native		Stackhouse (2004)
-Pennsylvania	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
-South Carolina	Present, Few occurrences	Native		CABI (Undated)
-South Dakota	Present, Localized	Native		CABI (Undated)
-Texas	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
-Utah	Present, Few occurrences	Native		Stackhouse (2004)
-Washington	Present, Localized	Native		Stackhouse (2004)
-Wisconsin	Present, Localized	Native		Abraham (2005)
Oceania
Marshall Islands	Present, Few occurrences	Native		BirdLife International (2009)
New Zealand	Absent, Formerly present		1920	Lever (2005)	Probably taverneri

History of Introduction and Spread

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The 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

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Introduced to	Introduced from	Year	Reason	Introduced by	Established in wild through		References	Notes
Introduced to	Introduced from	Year	Reason	Introduced by	Natural reproduction	Continuous restocking	References	Notes
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

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The 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

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B. 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

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Category	Sub-Category	Habitat	Presence	Status
Terrestrial
	Terrestrial – Managed	Cultivated / agricultural land	Principal habitat	Harmful (pest or invasive)
		Managed grasslands (grazing systems)	Secondary/tolerated habitat	Harmful (pest or invasive)
		Urban / peri-urban areas	Secondary/tolerated habitat	Harmful (pest or invasive)
	Terrestrial ‑ Natural / Semi-natural	Natural grasslands	Principal habitat	Natural
		Riverbanks	Principal habitat	Natural
		Wetlands	Principal habitat	Natural
		Cold lands / tundra	Principal habitat	Natural
Freshwater
		Irrigation channels	Secondary/tolerated habitat	Natural
		Lakes	Principal habitat	Natural
		Reservoirs	Principal habitat	Natural
		Rivers / streams	Principal habitat	Natural
		Ponds	Secondary/tolerated habitat	Natural

Biology and Ecology

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Genetics

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

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Climate	Status	Description
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

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Latitude North (°N)	Latitude South (°S)	Altitude Lower (m)	Altitude Upper (m)
24-72

Natural enemies

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Natural enemy	Type	Life stages	Specificity	References	Biological control in	Biological control on
Alopex lagopus	Predator		not specific

Means of Movement and Dispersal

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B. 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

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Cause	Long Distance	Local	References
Acclimatization societies	Yes		Lever, 2005
Escape from confinement or garden escape		Yes	Lever, 2005
Ornamental purposes	Yes		Lever, 2005

Impact Summary

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Category	Impact
Cultural/amenity	Positive and negative

Economic Impact

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Whereas 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

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Impact 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

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It 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

Impact outcomes

Negatively impacts agriculture

Impact mechanisms

Hybridization

Likelihood of entry/control

Highly likely to be transported internationally deliberately
Highly likely to be transported internationally illegally
Difficult to identify/detect in the field

Uses

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Economic Value

B. hutchinsii is hunted along its migration flyways and in its wintering grounds in North America.

Uses List

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Environmental

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

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Distinguishing 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

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Due 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

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Further 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

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Abraham K, 2005. Cackling Goose, NOT new to Ontario. OFO News, 23(1):2-6. http://www.ofo.ca/reportsandarticles/cacklinggoose.php

Banks AN; Wright LJ; Maclean IMD; Hann C; Rehfisch MM, 2008. Review of the status of introduced non-native waterbird species in the area of the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement: 2007 update. Review of the status of introduced non-native waterbird species in the area of the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement: 2007 update. Thetford, UK: British Trust for Ornithology, unpaginated. [BTO Research Report 489.]

Banks RC; Cicero C; Dunn JL; Kratter AW; Rasmussen PC; Remsen Jr JV; Rising JD; Stotz DF, 2004. Forty-fifth supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union Check-list of North American Birds. Auk, 121:985-995.

BirdLife International, 2009. Species factsheet: Branta hutchinsii. Species factsheet: Branta hutchinsii. unpaginated. http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=32141&m=0

Blair MJ; McKay H; Musgrove AJ; Rehfisch MM, 2000. Review of the status of introduced non-native waterbird species in the agreement area of the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement. Review of the status of introduced non-native waterbird species in the agreement area of the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement. Thetford, UK: British Trust for Ornithology, unpaginated. [BTO Research Report 229.]

Callaghan DA; Green AJ, 1993. Wildfowl at risk, 1993. Wildfowl, 44:149-169.

Cramp S; Simmons KEL, 1977. Handbook of the birds of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa: the birds of the Western Palearctic. Volume I. Ostrich to ducks. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

Fox AD; Glahder C; Mitchell CR; Stroud DA; Boyd H; Frikke J, 1996. North American Canada geese (Branta canadensis) in West Greenland. Auk, 113:231-233.

Hanson HC, 1997. The giant Canada goose. Carbondale, Illinois, USA: Southern Illinois University Press, 280 pp.

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

Sangster G; Collinson JM; Helbig AJ; Knox AG; Parkin DT, 2005. Taxonomic recommendations for British birds: third report. Ibis, 147:821-826.

Sibley DA, 2004. Identification of Canada and cackling goose. Identification of Canada and cackling goose. unpaginated. http://www.sibleyguides.com/canada_cackling.htm

Stackhouse M, 2004. The new goose. The new goose. Utah, USA: Utah Bird Records Committee, unpaginated. http://www.utahbirds.org/RecCom/NewGoose.htm

Voslamber B; Jeugd H van der; Koffijberg K, 2007. [English title not available]. (Aantallen, trends en verspreiding van overzomerende ganzen in Nederland.) Limosa, 80:1-17.

Wilson A, 2003. Identification and range of Canada goose (Branta canadensis) subspecies. Identification and range of Canada goose (Branta canadensis) subspecies. unpaginated. http://www.oceanwanderers.com/CAGO.Subspecies.html

Distribution References

Abraham K, 2005. Cackling Goose, NOT new to Ontario. OFO News. 23 (1), 2-6. http://www.ofo.ca/reportsandarticles/cacklinggoose.php

Anon, 1977. Handbook of the birds of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa: the birds of the Western Palearctic. Volume I. Ostrich to ducks. [ed. by Cramp S, Simmons K E L]. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

Banks A N, Wright L J, Maclean I M D, Hann C, Rehfisch M M, 2008. Review of the status of introduced non-native waterbird species in the area of the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement: 2007 update. In: Review of the status of introduced non-native waterbird species in the area of the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement: 2007 update, Thetford, UK: British Trust for Ornithology. unpaginated.

Banks R C, Cicero C, Dunn J L, Kratter A W, Rasmussen P C, Remsen J V Jr, Rising J D, Stotz D F, 2004. Forty-fifth supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union Check-list of North American Birds. Auk. 985-995.

BirdLife International, 2009. Species factsheet: Branta hutchinsii. In: Species factsheet: Branta hutchinsii, unpaginated. http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=32141&m=0

CABI, Undated. CABI Compendium: Status as determined by CABI editor. Wallingford, UK: CABI

Fox A D, Glahder C, Mitchell C R, Stroud D A, Boyd H, Frikke J, 1996. North American Canada geese (Branta canadensis) in West Greenland. Auk. 231-233.

Lever C, 2005. Naturalised birds of the world. London, UK: T & AD Poyser.

NOBANIS, 2008. North European and Baltic Network on Invasive Alien Species. In: North European and Baltic Network on Invasive Alien Species, http://www.nobanis.org

Stackhouse M, 2004. The new goose. In: The new goose, Utah, USA: Utah Bird Records Committee. unpaginated. http://www.utahbirds.org/RecCom/NewGoose.htm

Voslamber B, Jeugd H van der, Koffijberg K, 2007. [English title not available]]. (Aantallen, trends en verspreiding van overzomerende ganzen in Nederland.). Limosa. 1-17.

Links to Websites

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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

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World: BirdLife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge, CB3 0NA, UK, http://www.birdlife.org

Contributors

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31/08/09 Original text by:

John Marchant, British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, IP24 2PU, UK

Distribution Maps

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Datasheet

Branta hutchinsii

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