[TN-Bird] Thoughts on Rutherford Co, Swan
- From: OLCOOT1@xxxxxxx
- To: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, birder1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2012 08:30:54 -0500 (EST)
http://www.pbase.com/shoeman/rutherford_co_swan_29_dec_11
Scott Somershoe
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Sorry, I've been running the roads lately, mainly looking at every sparrow
flock I could find and just getting back and settling in to look at photos.
Taking all of Scott's photos, I photoshop adjusted size, contrast and
lightened etc. I see no field mark, bill size/shape (both species can have
slightly concave upper mandible) , nare location, head bill ratio, body length
to neck ratio, curve of feathering from eye to bill, curve of back, major
body axis, and details given by observers, taken as whole, most if not all
point to Tundra.
As Mike Todd commented, the shape of the feathering between the eyes and
bill develops only fully in adulthood but also the angle at which the head
is viewed straight on changes this look from V to U, to a straight line as
the head is tilted but usually a good mark if seen well. Can be a good
indicator on full adults but said not to be 100% diagnostic. Next time, just
grab one of these babies and measure the distance from the bill tip to the
nare or the width of the foot, both should be diagnostic;o)
As far as hybrid, the bird just does not look much like a hybrid or at
least nothing far out of normal variations. A few years back when I was
chasing every swan, photographing and measuring heads, bodies and necks from
enlarged shots, I had a few conversations by phone with the head of the
International Swan Foundation in the UK. He mentioned that swan of all species
would interbreed readily or as he put it politely "at the drop of a hat" in
captivity. Now with the reintroduction of Trumpeters in many areas in the
US, and the various species kept as pets on private ponds etc, plus birds
hatched in captivity, raise by humans and released into new/old flyways who
knows what will happen.
I've looked at a lot of swans and agree young birds can be a tough call
but usually you can put a suite of points together that will lead you in the
right direction. There will be marginal birds that you may not be able to
pigeon hole but I don't think the adult Rutherford County bird is one of
those.
Just my 2 cents and of course others have different views of what they
see..........
Good Birding!!!
Jeff R. Wilson / TLBA
6300 Memphis-Arlington Rd.
Bartlett, TN. 38135
_http://WWW.pbase.com/ol_coot/_ (http://www.pbase.com/ol_coot/)
What is this feathered thing that lifts my heart to the heavens.
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