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.
