Branta hutchinsii (Richardson 1832)

Note the smaller size relative to Branta canadensis (individual grazing with 8 B. canadensis adults), shorter, stubbier bill, darker color, and shorter neck.

Note the shorter, stubbier bill, darker color, and shorter neck compared with B. canadensis.

Unusually extensive white neck collar.

Adult.

Adult.

Adult.

Adult.

Left foreground is a Ridgway's Cackling Goose (B. h. minima)hatch-year, right foreground an Aleutian Cackling Goose (B. h. leukopareia) hatch-year. Note that the Aleutian lacks the white collar that some observers believe is a good identification mark for this subspecies; the collar does not molt in until sometime in mid-winter. In the background is a Great Basin Canada Goose.

Three individuals with a Canada Goose behind.

This is Branta h. hutchinsii, very rare in California.

This is Branta h. hutchinsii, very rare in California.

This is Branta h. tavern, rare in central California.

This is Branta h. tavern, rare in central California.

Saint George Island