Mute Swan Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesMute Swan
Adult
Very large and entirely white with a long neck, bright orange bill, black skin around the face, and black legs.
© Jack Bushong / Macaulay LibraryNew Jersey, March 26, 2017Immature
Immatures have paler, dusky-pinkish bills.
© Oliver Burton / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, April 09, 2017Adult
Skims plants from the surface or submerges head to reach vegetation in deeper water.
© Tim Laman / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, April 15, 2009Adult
In display or when threatened will partly raise its wings while swimming.
© Paul Tavares / Macaulay LibraryOntario, February 18, 2016Adult
Flies with neck outstretched. Entirely white with black legs and bright orange bill.
© Patrick MONNEY / Macaulay LibraryFreiburg, April 08, 2017Adults and immatures with Mallards
Eats aquatic vegetation in city-park ponds, as well as rivers, lakes, and estuaries.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, November 08, 2014Juvenile
Older juveniles can have extensive dusky-brownish highlights on the body.
© Yves Gauthier (Mtl) / Macaulay LibraryQuebec, April 06, 2008Adult and juvenile
Young juveniles are fluffy and entirely pale gray with black bills and legs.
© Jeffrey Thomas / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, May 06, 2012Adult
Flies with its head and neck extended with shallow wingbeats.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryNew Jersey, November 01, 1997Adult
Can be extremely aggressive toward other swans and waterfowl.
© Ed Harper / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, April 09, 2017Adult and immature
Found on a variety of water bodies, including small ponds and large reservoirs.
© Michelle Terrell / Macaulay LibraryMinnesota, March 23, 2017Adult
Swims with its long neck curved into an S and often holds its wings raised slightly above its back.
© Tim Laman / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, April 14, 2009Similar SpeciesTundra Swan
Adult (Bewick's)
Tundra Swans are smaller than Mute Swans with a black (not orange) bill. They often hold their neck straighter than Mute Swans.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryIshikawa, December 19, 2013Similar SpeciesTundra Swan
Adult (Whistling)
Tundra Swans are smaller than Mute Swans with a black (not orange) bill. Neck and tail shape also differ; Tundra Swans hold their neck straighter and have shorter and more rounded tail feathers than Mute Swans.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, July 12, 2013Similar SpeciesTundra Swan
Juvenile (Whistling)
Juvenile Tundra Swans are smaller than Mute Swans with a pinker bill.
© Liron Gertsman / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, November 21, 2015Similar SpeciesTrumpeter Swan
Adult
Trumpeter Swans have a black (not orange) bill and hold neck straighter than Mute Swans Their tail feathers are also shorter and more rounded than the tail feathers on Mute Swans.
© Steve Percival / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, August 23, 2015Similar SpeciesTrumpeter Swan
Juvenile
Juvenile Trumpeter Swans have a black-and-pink bill while juvenile Mute Swans have a dusky-pinkish bill.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, October 20, 2013Similar SpeciesSnow Goose
Adult white morph
Snow Geese are much smaller with a shorter neck than Mute Swans.
© Nell Moore / Macaulay LibraryTennessee, December 23, 2010Compare with Similar Species
Click on an image to compare
Species in This Family
Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl(Order: Anseriformes, Family: Anatidae)
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