Difference between Trumpeter and Mute Swans...

Photos by BarrytheBirder

Trumpeter Swan

Mute Swan

I was having breakfast on Monday of this week, with a number of fellow residents at Delmanor Retirement Residence in Aurora and happened to mention that I'd seen eight Trumpeter Swans the day before, in the Holland Marsh in King Township.  One of the ladies at the table asked how to tell the difference between Trumpeter Swans and Mute Swans.   I replied that both swans were all white and very big (60" long), but the Trumpeter Swan had a completely black bill while the Mute Swan had an orange bill with a black knob at the base (see photos above).   Also, the Trumpeter Swan's call is a single or double 'honk', while the Mute Swan, like its name, is silent.  The differences between the two are most evident in the males of each species, which also makes females and juveniles more readily identifiable when accompanied by males.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry the birder