Cackling goose some quarters; Richard Banks of the AOU urges caution before any of Hanson's proposals are accepted. Cackling goose The cackling goose ("Branta hutchinsii") is a North American bird of the genus "Branta" of black geese, which contains species with largely black plumage, distinguishing them from the grey "Anser" species. The black head and neck with white "chinstrap" distinguish this goose from all other geese except the larger Canada goose ("Branta canadensis") and the similarly sized barnacle goose ("B. leucopsis"). There are up to 5 subspecies of cackling goose, of varying sizes and plumage details. The female looks virtually identical but
Red-breasted goose Red-breasted goose The red-breasted goose ("Branta ruficollis") is a brightly marked species of goose in the genus "Branta" from Eurasia. It is sometimes separated in "Rufibrenta" but appears close enough to the brant goose ("Branta bernicla") to make this unnecessary, despite its distinct appearance. It is currently classified as vulnerable by the IUCN. "Branta" is a Latinised form of Old Norse "Brandgás", "burnt (black) goose and "ruficollis" is from the Latin "rufus" "red" and "collis" "necked". All the species of the genus "Branta" are distinguished by their dark sooty colour, relieved by white, and as a distinction from the grey