Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinisii)

Wyandotte County Park, Kansas City, Kansas

Beginning early in May and lasting until I went back to China in early August. I first noticed the Snow Goose at the lake and soon noticed that it was always accompanied by another rarity - a Cackling Goose! I doubted myself at first (as did eBird) but close-ups later verified that it was a good ID. (Note short neck; definite neck ring; and smaller, rounded head. Also was much smaller than the abundant Canada Geese that would chase off the Snow Goose.) The Snow Goose appears to have had a broken wing and did not even enter the water for a month or more and I never observed it to fly rather running to the water to swim if chased or if a Raptor appeared. The Cackling Goose seemed to be healthy, but stuck quite close to the Snow Goose all summer. Never saw one without the other.