Cackling Goose
Branta hutchinsii (Richardson, 1832)
LQ
LECGO
1664
Family: Anseriformes > Anatidae
A small version of the Canada Goose, this extremely rare visitor from North America was only recognized by taxonomists relatively recently.
This species was added to the British List in 2016 on the basis of a bird seen at Plex Moss, Lancashire, in November 1976. The species breeds in northern North America and winters further south in Canada and the USA.
A handful of individuals are thought to reach Britain & Ireland annually as vagrants, wintering among Barnacle Geese in north-west Scotland and western Ireland.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Cackling Goose
SEASONALITY
BTO RECORDS
SEASONALITY
BTO RECORDS
Identification
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Browse training coursesStatus and Trends
Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
| IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global) |
Least Concern 
|
| Schedule 1 license required (to disturb) | No |
| Birds Directive Annex 1 | No |
POPULATION SIZE
We have no population estimates for this scarce species.
| BOU Category | A |
|
First Record
|
Lancashire, 1976 |
DISTRIBUTION
This species is a rare vagrant and was recorded during Bird Atlas 2007–11 as shown on the map.
-
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
| No. occupied in winter | 18 |
| % occupied in winter | 0.6 |
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
This vagrant is too rarely reported to map distribution change.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Cackling Goose, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
Sample sizes are too small to report Productivity and Nesting statistics for this species.
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
|
Field Codes
|
2-letter: LQ | 5-letter code: LECGO | Euring: 1664 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Links to more studies from ConservationEvidence.com
- An artificial nest site for arctic nesting common eiders
- Effects of grazing and inundation on pasture quality and seed production in a salt marsh
- Black terns benefit from cattail management in the northern Great Plains
Read more studies about Cackling Goose on Conservation Evidence >
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