Chet Vincent found a CACKLING CANADA GOOSE (Branta canadensis minima...which later became its own species—Cackling Goose, Branta hutchinsii) at Waryas Park in Poughkeepsie in mid-February 2002. This goose breeds in western Alaska and this sighting is very unusual. Chet submitted a formal report to NYSARC, the New York State Avian Records Committee of the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs (now called the New York State Ornithological Association, NYSOA).  The photos on this page were taken by Ken Fredericks and were submitted to the Records Committee with Chet's report. 

NYSARC subsequently accepted the report with the qualification that the bird's origins are uncertain.  They determined from the photographs that this was the subspecies Branta hutchinsii minima (later reclassified as a distinct species, Branta hutchinsii).  However, since the minima race rarely wanders to the east coast and since it is "fairly common in captivity," NYSARC felt that the possibility of an escape from captivity could not be ruled out.

Note the very short bill and completely dark breast of the Cackling Goose, along with its overall small size. To see a larger image of any of these photos, just click on it.