Trumpeter Swan Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesTrumpeter Swan
Adult
Very large and entirely white with a long neck, black bill with broad area of black facial skin in front of the eye, and black legs.
© Frank Lehman / Macaulay LibraryOregon, April 22, 2017Juvenile
Older juveniles are mostly pale dusky-gray with white highlights, and a pink center to the black bill.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, October 20, 2013Adult
Feeds by tipping up and reaching for submerged vegetation with its long neck.
© Benjamin Clock / Macaulay LibraryMichigan, June 14, 2011Adult
Flies with neck outstretched. Entirely white with black legs and bill.
© Caroline Lambert / Macaulay LibraryAlberta, October 31, 2020Adult
Entirely black bill with broad connection of black facial skin to the eye. The white head can be stained rusty, especially during the nesting season.
© Zachary Frieben / Macaulay LibraryMichigan, April 01, 2017Adult
In typical posture, holds neck very straight.
© Eric Liner / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 28, 2007Juvenile
Needs a broad expanse of water to takeoff. Juveniles dusky-brown, including on wings, with white highlights.
© Anonymous / Macaulay LibraryMinnesota, November 05, 2016Adult
Often feeds in wet grassy areas, sometimes far from open water.
© Willie McHale / Macaulay LibraryMichigan, June 09, 2007Adults
Pairs stay together for many years and often stay close to each other. Pairs display to each other, including head bobbing.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryMontana, November 01, 2001Adult
Occurs on a variety of waterbodies, from small ponds to large reservoirs.
© Jeff Plante / Macaulay LibraryQuebec, April 27, 2017Adult
Bill is always all black, without yellow. Note fairly straight margin between mouth and eye.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryMontana, November 01, 2001Similar SpeciesTundra Swan
Adult (Whistling)
Tundra Swans are smaller than Trumpeter Swans with a small yellow patch in front of the eye. The area where the bill meets the head is V-shaped on Trumpeter Swans but U-shaped on Tundra Swans.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, July 12, 2013Similar SpeciesTundra Swan
Juvenile (Whistling)
Tundra Swans are smaller than Trumpeter Swans. Juveniles have pink at the base of the bill unlike juvenile Trumpeter Swans, which have a dark base of the bill.
© Liron Gertsman / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, November 21, 2015Similar SpeciesMute Swan
Adult
Mute Swans hold their neck with more of a curve than Trumpeter Swans and they have an orange (not black) bill.
© Jack Bushong / Macaulay LibraryNew Jersey, March 26, 2017Similar SpeciesMute Swan
Immature
Immature Mute Swans have a pinkish gray bill while immature Trumpeter Swans have a darker bill.
© Oliver Burton / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, April 09, 2017Similar SpeciesSnow Goose
Adult white morph
Snow Geese are much smaller than Trumpeter Swans with a smaller pink bill.
© 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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