Aleutian Goose

On 27 October 2020 at the Nisqually national wildlife refuge Erika and I found a bird we have not previously seen—an Aleutian Goose. These geese used to be considered to be a distinct species, but were merged as a subspecies under Canada Geese, and then recently moved to a race of Cackling Goose. Field marks that add up to make this an Aleutian Goose include 1) a complete, wide, and prominent white collar;  2 the white on cheeks is not extensive and is separated by a black stripe on throat; 3) the collar is bordered immediately below by dark, almost black breast feathers; 4) a relatively pale back and belly; and 5) a small, round head.

Aleutian Geese breed on the western Aleutian Islands; they winter chiefly in central California. These geese have made “one of the most astounding recoveries in the history of wildlife management.” Fifty years ago, fewer than 800 of these geese survived—victims of people introducing non-native Arctic Fox onto their breeding grounds. After removing the fox and after rigorous habitat management, these birds were removed from the Endangered Species Act.  Now each fall, about 200,000 birds migrate down our West Coast  (USFW).