I volunteer at Ridgefield NWR, and identification is difficult for me. We
have large numbers of Tundras that winter here. Not all Tundras have
yellow lores, as you know, and Roy is right about the size. We usually
have Trumpeters mixed in with the Tundras, and the primary way we find them
is by voice identification. I'm sure better birders than I could be
clearer about identification, but even having seen them so often together,
I find it difficult. Another factor is that they're usually too far away
to get a really close look, even with good binoculars. I've heard more
Trumpeters this winter than in previous years, but that may be just my own
experience. They will be leaving the refuge soon; the numbers are already
dwindling. I always miss them when they're gone. When they're here you
can hear them from all over the refuge. It's wonderful.
Virginia Scott
Port land
On Fri, Mar 10, 2017 at 3:49 PM, Roy Lowe <roy.loweiii@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Use some caution in using size to differentiate Tundra and Trumpeter
swans. Tundra Swans breeding on the Alaska Peninsula are large with their
body size and weight overlap with Trumpeters. Some marked birds from this
population have been observed on the Oregon coast in the past.
Roy
On Mar 11, 2017, at 10:01 AM, Lars Per Norgren <larspernorgren@xxxxxxxxx>wrote:
overlap. Patient folks sometimes find small groups, family sized, of
*
These measurements are averages, so as with Accipiters there's room for
Trumpeters in a Tundra flock. Dave Irons pointed out a few days ago that
these Trumpeter families will stick together within that flock. I'm
inclined to believe that Tundra Swans also can keep close company with
close relatives in these big flocks, we humans often can't see the
difference. Bewick's Swans have more distinctive yellow patches on the
beak, making it possible to track some individuals without human markings,
collars, leg-bands and so forth.
On Mar 11, 2017, at 9:23 AM, Tim Johnson wrote:much larger swan than the tundra. Sibley's field guide shows the trumpeter
Another thing to consider when identifying swans, the trumpeter is a
size as follows: Length 60", Wing Span 80", Weight 368 ounces. Compare that
to the tundra: Length 52", Wing Span 66", Weight 230.
there are any trumpeter swans in the mix they should be significantly
It helps if the all the swans being identified are mixed together. If
larger than the tundras.
flocks, however my experience seeing them together is fairly limited.
My experience is that the tundras and trumpeters don't form mixed
Tim Johnson
Salem, OR
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