ML615071354
Contributor
Date
Location
- Age and sex
- Immature Unknown sex - 1
- Behaviors
- Foraging or eating
Observation details
Originally I reported this as a Trumpeter Swan (as was reported by others). However, after seeing the information (link in Chuck Estes' eBird checklist from Feb 14: https://ebird.org/checklist/S161507016) and comments in Mike Winck's eBird checklist (Feb 19, https://ebird.org/checklist/S162318408), I took a more critical look at my photos, and revised my ID to Tundra Swan based on the following observed characteristics: Bill pinkish at base, not black 1 Sibley's Birds East says "bill always black at base" for Trumpeter (Sibley uses the word "always" sparingly so it carries some weight when used) 2 Sibley's says "bill pink at base, becoming black" for Tundra Feathering between eyes 1 my photos show (very poorly) a V-shape, but review of a few dozen photographs of juvenile Tundra and Trumpeter Swans from the Macaulay library give me reason to believe that this shape is variable or developing in younger birds and therefore cannot be relied on for ID of younger birds. Other characteristics I had considered: -shape of back (Sibley's indicates that Trumpeter is rounder than Tundra) -shape of bill (Sibley's illustrations shows some differences but does not highlight them) -bend of neck (Sibley's illustrations shows some differences but does not highlight them) However, I discarded consideration of these after a read of the article (linked by Chuck Estes). It indicates either no discernible difference or no reliable difference between the two species regarding: "Posture and body form", bill shape, head profile. Definitely the section of this article on cygnets indicates that the very youngest birds (presumably younger than this individual) are quite similar in all aspects between the two species. Since this bird was silent, voice was of no use to me. Original details/notes: Continuing bird at this location for several days now. Reported by other locals. Seen through camera and binoculars at 500 or 600 foot range. Definite swan. Compared to Mute Swan, the back was lower but evenly rounded from front to back. When the neck bent, it appeared to bend most in the middle, rather than the even curve of a Mute Swan's neck. The bill was mostly dark but when color was visible, it was a coral pinkish, rather than the orange of a mute swan. Head and bill tapered evenly to a point. Have documentary photos (taken through some atrocious heat haze).
Additional species
Technical information
- Model
- COOLPIX P900
- ISO
- 220
- Focal length
- 357 mm
- Flash
- Flash did not fire
- f-stop
- f/6.5
- Shutter speed
- 1/1000 sec
- Dimensions
- 3905 pixels x 2602 pixels
- Original file size
- 1.28 MB