This diminutive Canada Goose, same bird above and below, was present in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, and was probably of dubious origin. It was small, not much bigger than a Brent Goose, was pale brown on the chest, short necked and relatively short-billed and seems to be have the characteristics of Aleutian Canada Goose rather than Cackling Canada Goose. This latter 'species' is very small, very short-necked, overall rather dark and has a very small bill.
California - November 2009
Wildfowl - Geese
Canada Geese
Black Brant
White-fronted Geese
Snow Geese
Wood Duck
American Wigeon
Canvasback
Lesser Scaup
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Bufflehead
 Golden Gate Park 131109 WEB 354.JPG)
 La Merced WEB 151109 361.JPG)
 Golden Gate Park 131109 WEB 331.JPG)
La Merced had a fair sized Canada Goose flock which contained several different forms. These four are part of that flock. Despite the lead bird clearly shows a distinct white-neck band and being a little smaller than the other three birds all appear to be Lesser Canada Geese. These birds are generally quite dark and short-necked.
Although not a direct comparison as these are in flight check back against the possible Aleutian Canada Goose above. These birds are clearly larger and bulkier, longer necked and with a different bill shape, in the field they came across as a mid sized goose rather than a small goose as the bird above.
However scroll down the page to view Canada Geese species in flight with Snow Geese.
Black Brant was common at Morro Bay where there was a large flock of around 700 present. Elsewhere few were seen with perhaps just scattered singletons. The birds depicted here are all from the Morro Bay flock photographed from Sweet Springs with the exception of the juvenile bird, last image, which was at the Salinas River Mouth near Monterey. That bird was more approachable which I initially thought was down to it being shot, there's a hell of a lot of that going on in the US and in so called 'sanctuaries' or 'preserves', however he/she flew off strongly some time later along the river with no signs of injury, unfortunately the flight direction was to be within the hunting area.
La Merced held good numbers of White-fronted Geese. These were best seen in the early morning and late evenings when they visit the fields on the east side of the reserve to feed. They can be seen well from the car there.
La Merced holds a huge number of wintering 'white geese' which on this visited were mostly Snow Geese, thousands of them. On my previous visit in March 2007 these were mostly Ross's Geese so it seems that what ever the time of year will determine the predominant species.
As with White-fronted Goose above huge numbers used the fields on the east side of the reserve at dawn and dusk with dusk being better light conditions.
Snow Geese below with small Canada Geese at La Merced. The Canada Geese are very short necked, most seem to have obvious neck bands, small bills and rather dark under-parts. Given the size comparisons and the other features these birds are likely to be Aleutian Canada Geese however there is one bird that on close inspection of the original file shows a number of characters consistent with Cackling Canada Goose, however the mouse over the image to show which bird. This bird is uniformly dark below, has a shorter neck and a very small stubby bill.
The set aside fields on the east side of La Merced attract thousands of geese and cranes in the early mornings and at dusk, below we have Snow Geese and Sandhill Cranes beyond.