The
trumpeter swan is a majestic bird, with snowy
white feathers; jet-black bill, feet, and
legs; and 8-foot wingspan. At close range,
a thin orange-red line can be seen on the
lower part of the bill. The trumpeter is often
confused with the smaller, more northerly
tundra swan, especially where their ranges
overlap. The major differences between the
two are their size, call, and migration.
The
trumpeter swan is roughly twice the size of
the tundra swan; has a deep, sonorous call;
and is either non-migratory or migrates relatively
short distances. The tundra swan weighs approximately
15 pounds, has a high whistling call, and
migrates long distances between summer and
winter ranges.
