Small cackling goose

The small cackling goose (Branta hutchinsii minima), also known as the Ridgway's goose, is the smallest subspecies of cackling goose and the smallest variant of white-cheeked goose.

Small cackling goose
A Ridgway’s goose with eggs
Conservation status
Apparently Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Anseriformes
Family:	Anatidae
Genus:	Branta
Species:	B. hutchinsii
Subspecies:	B. h. minima
Trinomial name
Branta hutchinsii minima (Ridgway, 1885)
Synonyms
Branta canadensis minima Branta minima

Description

Ridgway’s geese are the smallest of the white cheeked geese and the second smallest goose in the genus Branta, following the red-breasted goose. It is only slightly larger than a mallard and has a culmen (bill) length of 32 mm.

The small cackling goose’s calls are described as high pitched yelps. In flight, it can be identified by its fast wingbeat, in contrast to Canada geese and the larger subspecies of cackling geese.

Distribution

Small cackling geese are known to summer in western Alaska, and winter in the Willamette Valley. It has also been known to occur in California and southern Washington.