Trumpeter & TundraSwans (Cygnus buccinator, Cygnus columbianus)

We eventually convinced ourselves that there were at least four Trumpeter Swans in this field along with many Tundra Swans, but there could easily have been more. Trumpeter Swan is a very rare winter visitor to California. Liam Huber found an unprecedented 77 Trumpeters in this same field on 14 January, but numbers have been declining since. Speculation is that flooding and bad weather to the north may have accounted for this influx. In this photo the Trumpeter is in back showing extensive iron staining on its feathers while the swan in front is a typical Tundra Swan. The Trumpeters average larger with a longer thicker neck and a broader based bill. Note the angle of the bill at the eye averages wider on Trumpeter. On Tundra it is narrower often separated by a small yellow patch. Trumpeter Swan is the largest of our waterfowl. Formerly endangered they have been recovering in recent years. Many Sandhill Cranes were also in this field and a few are visible in the back.