Tundra and Trumpeter swans are the only swans native to North America. In various parts of the United States, however, there are significant populations of non-native Mute swans. All three species are large, all-white birds. Mute Swan are easily distinguished by the bright orange bill and distinctive knob on the forehead. Trumpeters and Tundras are similar looking species that can be more difficult to identify from each other.
Voice: The vocal sound of a swan is determined by the shape of its trachea. The Trumpeter Swan has a long convoluted trachea, which allows sound to resonate. The Mute Swan has an almost straight trachea, and results in a soft voice which does not carry much distance
Trumpeter Swans have an unmistakable resonant, loud, trumpet-like call.
Mute Swans are generally silent but not "mute". They have an assortment of grunts, snorts, and quiet whistles.
Tundra Swans have a high-pitched, often quavering oo-OO-oo accentuated in the middle.
POSTURE: Trumpeters frequently have their neck kinked back at the base, forming an angular C-shape. The Tundra swan tends to hold it’s neck more vertically. Mute Swans generally hold their necks curved gracefully and bills pointed somewhat downward. Wings may be arched over the back giving a bulky appearance.
Trumpeter Swans tend to bob their head and neck up and down. This, when accompanied with vocalizations is a form of communication between individuals within a group and is more pronounced when the birds are disturbed. It reaches maximum intensity just prior to the birds taking flight. This behavior may be brief or absent if the birds are suddenly startled and take flight. Tundra Swans do not bob their head and neck in this manner in such an exaggerated fashion, occasionally they will nod just their head up and down. |