Bird of the Week – Tundra Swan
While a little smaller than it’s Trumpeter Swan cousin, the Tundra Swan is a big bird, weighing in at just under 14 pounds. They are truly lovely in flight.
Tundra Swan in Flight, Peat Ponds, Fairbanks, Alaska
The “ski jump” shape to the bill, as opposed to the Trumpeter’s wedge-shape, as well as the yellow patch at the corner of the eye, distinguish Tundras from Trumpeters. The size difference is difficult to judge unless you have both species, side by side, in the field.
For more bird photos, please visit Frozen Feather Images.
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Here’s my bird of the week for big awl and wingnuts.(I think)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2014/08/22/this-should-go-well-westboro-baptist-church-says-its-going-to-iraq-to-protest-isis/
If only we could send all annoying people to Iraq to protest ISIS.
A few places nearby raise Trumpeter Swans for release. I have seen pairs on occasion on small bodies of water which I assume are some that had been raised and released in iowa. Rilly big birds. Sometimes mistakenly shot as snow geese by idjits.
Love that photo, WC. Sure beats the Tundra Turkey, a/k/a Snowdrift Snookie.