Boyd Pond Swans, Morgan

[Steven Mlodinow]

These appear to be Tundra not Trumps. Still much brown and feet black
Steven Mlodinow
Longmont

Sent from my iPhone

[steven...@comcast.net]

Folks,

I photographed a swan on the same pond 12/21/07 on the Ft Morgan CBC that was originally called Trumpeter and submitted as such. The argument made then by the CO CBC regional editors that the bird was a Tundra because of the lack of brown on the bird ie Tundra molting to white earlier than Trumpeter. This is supported by a line in the Nat Geo guide stating that Tundra molts earlier than Trumpeter. Which is correct?

Steve Larson

Northglenn, CO

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From: "Steven Mlodinow" <sgm...@aol.com>
To: "Colorado Birding" <cob...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 2, 2014 8:52:41 AM
Subject: [cobirds] Boyd Pond Swans, Morgan

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[Glenn and Laurie]

Folks,

I had made a composite pic of the Boyd Swan(s) and the Walden Swan to see if
I could illustrate the difference between Tundra and Trumpeter. That
exercise made me start to question the ID of the Boyd swans. We noticed
dark legs at the time we viewed the birds but suspected light / mud was in
effect, but we were hung up on the bill size / shape. I agree with Steve's
assessment the Boyd birds are juvenile Tundras and not Trumpeters. In
addition to what has already been said regarding leg, body color and molt
timing, the eye is distinctly broader than the dark lore connecting the
bill. This isolates the eye from the bill and is noticeable. I have now
made a composite of the Boyd swans and a photo of an adult Trumpeter my
friend took recently in Wyoming. The isolated eye feature is apparent. I
have found this to be fairly reliable no matter the age of the birds.

http://www.pbase.com/image/154674105

Glenn Walbek
Castle Rock, CO