No way to tell on this bird, of course, but a real definitive mark, which helps
to separate young swans is the color of the feet. Tundra has entirely black
feet. Trumpeter has black feet with some yellow in the webbing and toes. I
suspect foot size is also helpful. I can't say I've ever studied it on Tundra
Swan, but some years ago there was a disputed young swan at Eckman Lake,
Lincoln County, that turned out to be a Trumpeter. I was able to observe it at
close range, and the feet were so massive it almost looked like the bird could
have walked on water.
Darrel
From: "rabican1" <rabican1@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "Rebecca Hartman" <rhartman@xxxxxxx>
Cc: "obol" <obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2020 11:55:50 AM
Subject: [obol] Re: Tundra or Trumpeter? And a question
Hi:
It is absolutely ok to ask for id help on OBOL. I think most folks would
appreciate you making an effort to id the bird so informative help can be
given, So it is great that you stated what you thought and why. The bill shape
is a bit tougher to differentiate on young swan, but the skin on Trumpeter
reaches back and touches the eye, Tundra Swan has the skin end right in front
of eye. Trumpeter juveniles usually have black at base of bill, Tundra juvenile
has pink reach back farther into base of bill and often show white where the
yellow will develop. Not clear here of course, but a Trumpeter Swan is a
massive bird compared to a Tundra, standing next to each other it is almost
like a goose to a duck. So I say Tundra.
Bob Archer
On Tue, Nov 17, 2020 at 11:24 AM Rebecca Hartman < [ mailto:rhartman@xxxxxxx ;|
rhartman@xxxxxxx ] > wrote:
Good morning Obolers,
I have two questions. One pertains to a bird ID; the other to the accepted
etiquette or conventions on OBOL concerning ID requests.
Someone made a reference awhile back to the 'dreaded ID question' and I'm
looking for some guidance on what subscribers see as ok or not ok in this
regard. I try really hard to figure out IDs on my own, but I often need help.
The empid ID thread was very useful and educational for me, but my skill level
is nowhere near that rarified strata. Me? I'm poring over Sibley and my photos
trying to figure out if a juvenile swan is a Tundra or a Trumpeter.
So, is it generally ok to ask for simple id help or is it an unspoken breach of
list etiquette? If the latter, I apologize for my next question!
Driving home to La Grande yesterday, after a terrific birding trip in the
Olympic Peninsula with Stefan Schlick and a lovely flock of birders, I stopped
at Deschutes River SP, where I found a solitary juvenile swan. I am stumped. To
me, it looks more like a TRUMPETER, based on the pointed border at the top of
the bill, and what may be a straighter edge along the side of the bill? No
yellow on bill, but that might not matter on a juvenile bird? A Tundra would be
more likely, but I'm uncertain and would like to know what else I should be
looking at. I appreciate any help!
[ https://photos.app.goo.gl/YezX9LQ8fyzuTDgn7 ;| Here ] is the link to 3 photos
in Google Photos in case the uploads don't work.
Cheers,
Rebecca
--
Dr. Rebecca Hartman
Associate Professor of History
History Department
Eastern Oregon University
[ http://eou.edu/history ;| http://eou.edu/history ] ;
541-962-3599
The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow
sharper.”
― Eden Phillpotts
