Identifying a Cackling Goose from a Canada Goose can be challenging, but with careful observation and a few key pointers, you’ll be able to distinguish between these two species with ease. These two geese may look similar at first glance, but they have distinct characteristics and behaviors that set them apart. By understanding these differences, you can enhance your bird-watching experience and appreciate the unique traits of each species.

Although it may be easy to pick out the differences between these species when you’re comparing them on a page, it is much more difficult to accurately identify these birds in the field. The birds above are all swallows. From the family Hirundinidae, swallows are typically insectivorous and agile flyers (Sibley 2016, 305). There are six swallow species you can find throughout Alberta: Bank Swallows, Tree Swallows, Cliff Swallows, Barn Swallows, Northern Rough-Winged Swallows, and Violet-green Swallows (Sibley 2016, 306-309). The most common swallows, Bank, Tree, Cliff, and Barn Swallows, typically breed in North America and winter as far south as Argentina in the Cliff Swallow’s case (Sibley 2016, 306-309: Cornell University, 2024a). Here are some common ID tips you can use in the springtime, when these frequent flyers come around!