Fun Cackling Goose Facts For Kids

The cackling goose (Branta hutchinsii) is a similar but smaller version of the Canadian goose. This small cute bird is identified by its distinct characteristics that one may find amusing.

Since cackling geese are smaller in size, they are seen beating their wings faster, a trait that some people find adorable and funny. Even though this bird is smaller than Canada geese, it is often mistaken for being one.

They belong to order Anseriformes, family Anatidae, and genus Branta. The known subspecies of these wintering birds are Branta canadensis, B. maxima, B.lawrensis, B.hutchinsii, B.leucopareia, and B.minima.

Hence for you to know more about this bird, we fill this fact file with all the available information about a cackling goose. Besides, if one is more curious, then they may even look for Canadian goose.

Here are some of the most interesting facts about the Canada Goose that you will surely enjoy. Afterward, do read our other articles on goose facts and bean goose facts.

Cackling Goose Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a cackling goose?

The cackling goose is a bird. More specifically, cackling geese are land birds which means they are most of the time spotted resting in the pond or playing in the field.

Canada geese are friendly yet reserved animals. So if you might want to play around them, do so, but make sure not to scare them. They belong to the order Anseriformes, the family Anatidae, and the genus Branta.

What class of animal does a cackling goose belong to?

A cackling goose (branta hutchinsii) belongs to the class Aves, which is the scientific name of the class of birds. It has a pair of wings, and the exoskeleton is made of feathers, white, brown, and black in color.

The small beak assists them in picking up tiny pieces of grains.

Since cackling geese live on land but also swim in the water, the presence of slightly webbed feet is one of their features. If you would like to see the cackling goose in their natural habitat, better get hold of a range map and bird guide.

How many cackling geese are there in the world?

Alone in North America, there are estimated to be about 3,500,000 cackling geese. Cackling geese are one of their kind and that they are actually true geese with distinct features.

In the early 70s, their estimated number was around 100,000, which is comparatively low to their number today. The numbers today show that the cackling geese have flourished in their natural habitats in the Aleutian Islands and Alaska. Though, the population of subspecies minima and leucopareia might still be declining.

Where does a cackling goose live?

Canada goose is a true native of North America. These wintering birds of North America breed in Western Alaska, more specifically in a variety of tundra habitats in Alaska.

The Tundra habitat is the most suitable for their survival during the breeding period. Wintering cackling geese prefer to nest in their habitat in northern regions as compared to Canada geese. You can check out these birds in their natural habitat with help of a North American range map.

What is a cackling goose's habitat?

A cackling goose is generally seen living in their habitat range in the Tundra region, but more specifically cackling geese build their nests on elevated regions near the waters. Canada geese do so with the help of leaves, lichens, mosses, and straw remnants. Unlike most birds, cackling geese do not build their nests on trees.

Who do cackling geese live with?

An Aleutian cackling goose is entitled to be a social animal. These family-oriented birds move around in flocks of their own breed across their habitats.

Sometimes Aleutian cackling geese may be seen along with the larger Canada geese and stray birds,  moving and feeding along with the same niche. Large flocks of the subspecies can be seen flying over the great plains during the migration to wintering grounds. These birds like to forage on grasses in open environments present in their habitat.

During migration and on the wintering grounds they forage in small groups. You can use a range map to witness the migration of these birds during the winters.

How long does a cackling goose live?

These Northern American birds attract the attention of the nearby humans who are generously spotted feeding the adorable Canada geese. Cackling geese lifespan ranges between 10-24 years.

How do they reproduce?

Aleutian cackling goose is a monogamous and migratory bird that breeds with the same partner throughout its lifetime. This breeding bird may form a new pair only if its partner dies early in life.

The female is supposed to take care of the clutch in such an event. She does this till she is ready for mating in the breeding season. Their mating pattern is similar to most of the other domestic birds of the Aves family.

The female is responsible for selecting the nests and the male is the guard to the nests. At a time, a female goose lays around a minimum of two to six eggs.

What is their conservation status?

Previously considered endangered, but not anymore in terms of conservation status. There are three subspecies of cackling geese, of these B.H.

Taverner is increasing in population, B.H.

Minima are declining in population and B. H. Leucopareia is said to be recovering from its previous decline in number.

There is not much data present at the moment that could elaborate about patterns or breeding numbers, but at large one thing is clear, that the overall population of the Canada goose subspecies is stable at the species level and there is no need for conservation at present.

Cackling Goose Fun Facts

What do cackling geese look like?

Aleutian cackling geese are similar to Canada geese but smaller in size. One can distinguish between these two species by looking at their overall body and head shape. The color of its body is a shade of gray and brown.

The color of their legs is black and there is a presence of a white chin strap between both its ears. Its body size, bill shape, and a peculiar voice is their distinguishing feature. The Taverner's geese have a pale brown body and a longer neck.

How cute are they?

Just like our house pets, the cackling goose is a very cute and loving animal. Their adorable features, the way they flip their wings for faster movement despite their smaller size, and their high social abilities add more to their beauty and uniqueness.

How do they communicate?

It is quite fascinating to see the ways with which these Northern American geese communicate amongst themselves. They possess the abilities which allow them to honk and produce cackle-like noises, which act as signals for the flock members.

Owing to their extraordinary communication skills, they fly in flocks that appear like a V shape if seen from the ground level.

How big is a cackling goose?

Cackling geese are generally smaller than Canadian geese but slightly larger in size than a mallard. The length range of these birds is 24.8-25.6 in (62.9-65.0 cm). It's quite evident that cackling geese are average-sized birds.

How fast can a cackling goose fly?

Canada geese fly at lower elevations 984-3280 ft (300-1000 m) in flocks. The speed range is approximately around 32 mph (51.5 kph) for longer periods.

These North American birds often mix with the Canadian geese during the winter season. Even though geese are heavy birds, these Northern American birds possess beating wings. This feature enables them to fly at a faster rate.

How much does a cackling goose weigh?

The cackling geese subspecies are quite evidently heavy birds. Even though their weights may vary depending upon the sub-species type, the difference is not too big.  The smallest of cackling geese weighs around 5-7 lb (2.26-3.17 kg) and the larger ones weigh around 12-15 lb (5.4-6.8 kg).

What are the male and female names of the species?

A male cackling goose, in general, is referred to as a gander, while a female cackling goose is sometimes called a dame. Canada geese get their names because of their unique vocal abilities.

What would you call a baby cackling goose?

A baby goose is referred to as a gosling. It has soft fur on its body when it is born and is a swimmer by birth. These North American birds follow their parents just after 24 hours of their birth, leaving their nests.

What do they eat?

With their small bill, this species primarily feeds on berries, grasses, and sedge. Specifically in winter, all the sub-species feed on crops such as wheat, alfalfa present in the fields to gain fat. The hard nail which is present on the bill of cackling geese renders them highly efficient in terms of grazing on plants and grasses.

Are they dangerous?

Even though Canada geese are not really dangerous, the subspecies may attack a person if this bird species see them wandering around their nest in defense. A Canada geese attack may result in minor injuries but sometimes cases of broken bones and emotional stress post-attack are reported by a few people.

Would they make a good pet?

Geese are social animals but are sometimes aggressive in nature. People visiting parks quite often report getting attacked by geese.

This suggests that if a person wants to pet a Canada goose, it may be a good idea to get a gosling and not a full-grown goose. Moreover, these birds like to forage in agricultural fields in open areas, so they may not take well to captivity.

Did you know...

As per Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York, geese are a very important part of the ecological system. Since these waterfowls are herbivores, this species feeds on seeds and nuts.

When this breeding species does so, these birds go around dispersing these seeds in different areas, especially during migration and defecation. This process aids in adding nutrients to the soil and thus adds to the flora of the respective habitat.

Cackling geese usually forage in marshes and fields present in their habitat as part of large flocks that comprise other goose species as well.

What is the smallest goose?

Pygmy geese are the smallest species of geese belonging to the family Anatidae. These breeding birds are sometimes also referred to as perching ducks. These waterfowls are often found near water bodies with good vegetation, nesting, and roosting.

Do Geese steal babies?

A cackling goose just like any other geese does steal goslings or baby geese from other parents. These aggressive, cunning birds do so to protect their young ones from predators.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds including snow goose facts or black phoebe facts.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our Cackling Goose coloring pages.