ALEUTIAN CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis leucopareia (Brandt) 



Order: ANSERIFORMES Family; ANATIDAE 



Distinguishing characteristics : A very small race of the Canada goose, only slightly larger 

 than the tiny cackling Canada goose . Plumage relatively dark brown above and dark gray 

 below like neighboring races. Has the broadest white band at the base of the black neck, 

 and when viewed from above, the most pointed bill of any race of Canada goose. 



Present distribution : As far as known, confined in nesting season to Buldir Island, 

 Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Winter range probably same as formerly. Seen at Sendai City, 

 Northern Japan, November 1962 (Y . Yamashina) . Possible sight records on Grizzly Island, 

 Suisun Bay, California, December 1964 (J. W. Aldrich) , Willamette Valley near Corvallis , 

 Oregon, in May 1968 ( D. B. Marshall), and near Willows, California, December 21, 1969 

 (Ben Towers) . Specimen, now in National Museum, taken mid-November 1971, at Willapa 

 Bay, Washington ( J . W . Aldrich and D. B. Marshall). 



Former distribution : Bred on many of the Aleutian Islands, including Amchitka, Agattu, 

 Attu, Semichi, Atka, Unalaska, Amlia, Adak , Kanaga, Tanaga, Kiska, and Buldir. Migrated 

 to California and Japan. 



Status: Wild population very small, confined, as far as known, to one breeding island. 



Estimated numbers : About 250 to 300 individuals. 



Breeding rate in the wild : Average clutch about 6 eggs in captivity, 4 or 5 young each 

 year in the wild . 



Reasons for decline : Presumed to be chiefly predation by introduced Arctic foxes on 

 their breeding grounds, with introduced rats also a possible contributing factor. Neither 

 foxes nor rats were introduced on Buldir Island because of its relative inaccessibility, 

 and this is presumed to have been the reason for survival of the goose breeding population. 



Protective measures already taken : Arctic foxes have been eliminated from two islands 

 on which it formerly nested, Amchitka and Agattu. Sixteen goslings were captured on 

 Buldir Island in 1963. From their descendants, reared at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, 

 75 birds of three age classes were reintroduced to Amchitka Island in spring of 1971. There 

 have been no confirmed recoveries to date from this release. In 1972, 22 additional goslings 

 were taken from Buldir Island to bolster captive stock. 



Measures proposed : Continue to rear captive birds properly conditioned for release into 

 the wild. The captive-reared birds will be used to restock former breeding islands as 

 soon as they have been rid of foxes . 



Number in captivity : 104 at Patuxent and 32 on loan to zoos and other selected cooperators . 



Breeding potential in captivity : Excellent. 



109 



