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December 2007

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From:
Nathaniel Nye <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Nathaniel Nye <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sat, 22 Dec 2007 14:56:20 -0500
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Hi,

Bill Whan pointed out to me that parvipes Canada Geese would be pretty
unlikely (but possible of course) out here in Ohio.  Thanks again for
pointing that out, Bill.  I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions on what
subspecies all the geese were.  However, I do know that a number of the
geese out on the water were noticeably smaller (shorter neck, smaller bill)
than others.  In making that distinction I have been very careful in my
observations of the geese to note whether the goose really is smaller, or if
its neck is just hunched down and LOOKS smaller.  I will add that there is a
large flock of geese that hangs out at my neighborhood pond all year, and
they are the "bigger" variety.  These geese that I'm talking about seem to
be new arrivals and are noticeably smaller than the resident geese I'm used
to (but still quite a bit larger than the Cackling Goose).  Based on my
Sibley guide (The Sibley Guide to Birds, 2000 edition), I just assumed that
the bigger Canadas were what he calls "Common" and the smaller were what he
calls "Lesser."  I then combined that with information from his website,
which is where my false assumptions came in.  I assumed that Lesser would be
the parvipes (by elimination, but without considering range because the
Sibley website doesn't make much mention of it) and the Common would be the
"interior", as opposed to canadensis (Atlantic coast) and maxima (range
unspecified, but apparently reintroduced in many areas after being nearly
extirpated about a century ago).  I guess the reason for posting this is to
raise the issue for other birders who who may want to contribute their own
knowledge and experience to the discussion, and for others (like me!) who
might be interested in learning the distinction between Canada Goose
subspecies.  In any case, I'll try to get some good photos of the two sizes
of geese I've been seeing.  Thanks again!

-Nate Nye

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