"White-cheeked Geese" (Canada / Cackling Geese) are a varied lot, with at least 11 different subspecies between the two species groups described by most authorities. Many of these subspecies are a challenge to differentiate, and indeed it is likely that many cannot be safely assigned to one group or the other for a variety of reasons. But it's fun to try.

Please feel free to comment on these photos. If you have ideas about which subspecies they should be assigned to, please leave a comment describing why. Educate us! I really would like to make this gallery an educational resource for myself and anyone else who's interested in this complex identification problem. So my eventual goal is to have the subspecies name assigned to each bird -- or at least as close as we can come given the nature of this problem. So fire away.

For now all photos are taken in Alaska. Eventually I'll have other state's to add... (I hope!)

The following internet resources have been helpful for me:.
----- Krueger, Harry. 2005. Cackling Goose -- Canada Goose Subspecies Identification Indicators; The "White-cheeked Goose" Challenge with Pictures. http://www.idahobirds.net/identification/cackling.html
-----Sibley, David A. 2004. Identification of Canada and Cackling Goose. http://www.sibleyguides.com/canada_cackling.htm
-----Wilson, Angus. 2005. Identification and Range of Subspecies within the (Greater) Canada and (Lesser Canada) Cackling Goose Complex (Branta canadensis & B. hutchinsii). http://www.oceanwanderers.com/CAGO.Subspecies.html

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All my nature photos are available for purchase as prints, supporting nonprofit groups from across the United States. See www.alaskafocus.net for more information.

Enjoy!

--Stacy
Eagle River, Alaska