This wasn't my first Cackling Goose but it was the first time I've ever had a good, long and up close look at one. Canada Gesse are like horses and come in different sizes from giants to miniatures. The smallest of the miniatures are considered a different species and separating them from all the other Canada Geese, because they look almost identical, has been one of the toughest IDs in the realm of waterfowl, I've found. But today we noticed some things about Cackling Geese (there were at least 2 and possibly a third around this morning) that may make it easier in the future. The stubby bill is one thing we all knew to look for, but we also noticed a distinct pale color on the Cackling Geese compared to the Canadas and the Cackling Geese also had a flattened, squared off head. I've heard of the pale color being a clue to identify Cackling Geese (but never really "saw" it until today), but the flattened, squared off head is something completely new. None of the Canada Geese showed that same head shape, so maybe this could be used as a clue for a Cackling Goose. It's quite noticeable in this photo. This Cackling Goose also had a white band at the base of the neck, which had us wonder if this could be another clue for Cackling Goose, but it was also present on some of the Canada Geese too. [Update: the head shape can't be used as an identifying feature on Cackling Geese either]