Cackling Goose
Branta hutchinsii
The Cackling Goose is a rare but occasional visitor to Britain, typically seen during migration periods or as a vagrant, with sightings mostly reported in the northern and eastern parts of the country. It can be spotted in a variety of wetland habitats, including marshes, estuaries, and coastal areas.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Cackling Goose in the field.
The Cackling Goose can be identified by its small size, black neck and head, and a distinctive white patch on the forehead, as well as its short, stubby bill and rounded head shape. Its brownish-grey breast and pale grey belly also help to distinguish it from other goose species.
The Cackling Goose is smaller than a Greylag Goose, but larger than a Mallard, with a more compact and streamlined body.
The male Cackling Goose has a black head and neck, with a white patch on the forehead, and a brownish-grey breast and pale grey belly, with a black tail and wings, and its plumage remains relatively consistent throughout the year.
The female Cackling Goose is similar to the male, with the same black head and neck, white forehead patch, and brownish-grey breast and pale grey belly, although she may be slightly duller in colour.
The Cackling Goose has a high-pitched, yapping call, often transcribed as "ka-kak" or "kak-kak", which is loud and distinctive.
Cackling Geese are social birds that often feed on grasses, aquatic plants, and grains in wet meadows and fields, and they are known for their rapid, direct flight style, often flying in large flocks.
The Cackling Goose can be confused with the Canada Goose, but it is smaller and has a more rounded head shape, a shorter bill, and a distinctive white forehead patch, which helps to distinguish it from its larger and more common relative.
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