Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii)
Cackling Goose

Cackling Goose

Branta hutchinsii

The Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii) is a North American bird that bears a striking resemblance to the larger Canada Goose, with its distinctive black head and neck, punctuated by a white "chinstrap". The species is variable in size and plumage, with up to five subspecies, each with their own unique characteristics. The smallest of these, the B. h. minima, is notably smaller than any Canada Goose, while the B. h. hutchinsii can grow to match the size of some Canada Goose subspecies.

Identification Tips

To identify the Cackling Goose, look for its black head and neck with the characteristic white cheek patches that extend under the throat. The body plumage is generally brownish, and the bird has a short bill, which is useful for distinguishing it from the Canada Goose. The female is similar in appearance but has a slightly lighter build and a different vocalization.

Habitat

The Cackling Goose breeds in the tundra regions of northern Canada and Alaska, preferring elevated areas near water for nesting.

Distribution

This migratory species winters across much of the United States, with some populations in western Canada and northern Mexico. It has also been known to reach western Europe and parts of East Asia, including the Kamchatka Peninsula, eastern China, and Japan.

Behaviour

Cackling Geese are highly territorial during the breeding season, with males exhibiting aggressive behavior to defend their nesting area. They are often seen leading their offspring in a line, with one parent at the front and the other at the rear. These geese are known for their V-shaped migratory formations and their honking calls that herald the changing seasons.

Song & Calls

The vocalizations of the Cackling Goose include a variety of honks and barks. The calls are similar to those of the Canada Goose but are generally higher pitched.

Breeding

Pairs of Cackling Geese may mate for life, with a lifespan that can reach around 20 years. The nest is a shallow depression lined with plant material and down, and the geese are diligent in leading and protecting their goslings.

Similar Species

The Cackling Goose can be confused with the Canada Goose and the Barnacle Goose. The Canada Goose is larger with a longer bill, while the Barnacle Goose has a black breast and grey body plumage.

Diet and Feeding

Cackling Geese are herbivorous, feeding on a variety of plant materials. They forage in water by submerging their heads and necks, and on land, they often feed on leftover grains in agricultural fields. They also consume insects, molluscs, and crustaceans.

Conservation status

The Cackling Goose is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Conservation efforts have helped recover populations that were previously in decline due to over-hunting and habitat loss. However, some subspecies, such as minima and leucopareia, may still face challenges. The population from the Komandorski and Kuril Islands, known as B. h. asiatica, became extinct around 1929.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Cackling Geese on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Ducks, Geese, Swans

A photo of a Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata) , male

Mandarin Duck

Aix galericulata
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Jane N
A great app
Enjoying it immensely and finding it useful too. Recording the different birds and counting them is showing me how the present climate is affecting them all. I've trebled the numbers by planting native hedging. A great app.
Chudbond
Love Birda
I love this app. It really encourages you to log your sightings and the community is friendly and helpful.
Jake W
Great app
I use this app all the time as it’s quick and easy to log individual sightings or whole birding sessions. It’s an excellent way to meet new people and the forum is full of really friendly people. The challenges are a great way to get involved and learn more about birds. Cannot recommend it enough!
Stewart W
Fantastic to be involved
Fantastic to be involved, great for mental health and gets you responding with the Challenges that are to takd part in.
Louise L
Easy to use and accurate
Love this app. It is easy to use and accurate, Their backup communication is really good. I noted a missing species. All through the process, I was kept informed about the progress in correcting the information. I now have the corrected, updated version. 😁 Thanks!
David C
Very knowledgeable group
Nice friendly birding community. Very knowledgeable group with a willingness to help.
SuperOliviaGirl
Really great app
It’s easy to use and it’s fun to log the birds you notice on a walk or just in your garden. There’s a option to record the birds you see in a session which is really nice. Good excuse to stop for a while and just watch birds. I am also enjoying the information part where you can find out fact about birds from all over the world.
Anonymous
The best bird logging app
Birda is honestly the best bird logging app I have seen. I love all the features it has from being able to do a session and log all the birds you see in one sitting, to being able to connect with other birders from all over the globe!
Emma L
App got me interested in birding!
Super friendly community <3 This app got me interested in birding! It teaches me cool stuff and its super friendly, and fun :) The species guide is really developing my knowledge, and i love seeing cool new birds from round the world!
Ellesse_W
Learning Birding with Birda
I’m relatively new to birding as a hobby, and Birda is a great way to keep track off all the species I see. I’m still working on my ID skills, but the app is great for figuring out potential species, and the online community is so friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend Birda to both early and serious birders! 🐦
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright Β© 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.