What kind of Swan at Silver Salmon Lakes in Lake Clark National Park, Alaska? (1 Viewer)

[vbnut]

I took these photos in the midafternoon of 2024-07-18 at Silver Salmon Lakes in Lake Clark National Park, Alaska. Our guide identified this swan for us at the time, but I have since forgotten what he said. I'm guessing a Trumpeter Swan or a Tundra Swan, but none of my books show or mention the orange/brown coloring on the head, neck, and breast, so I'm at a bit of a loss. Any identification help would be appreciated.

 

[Bewick]

Trumpeter swan, the orangish colouration is not a natural colour and just a result of feeding in water that is muddy, high in iron etc (that is why the orangish colouration is only in the bottom of the bird and the birds head and neck).

 

[vbnut]

Thanks. I was wondering in the coloration might be from some local phenomenon.