Identifying Swans


Native to the northern U.S. Endangered Species	Native to the U.S. Population exceeds 10,000 Protected Species	Not native to the U.S. Population exceeds 6,000.
Wingspan: 7-8 feet Weight: 21-30 pounds Height: 4 feet	Wingspan: 6-7 feet Weight: 13-20 pounds Height: 3 feet	Wingspan: 7-8 feet Weight: 25-30 pounds Height: 4 feet
Often has a red border on lower mandible. Eye indistinct from bill.	Often has a yellow spot in front of eye. Eye distinct from bill.	Distinct black knob
Bill: broad, flat black bill with fine tooth-like serrations along the edges.	Bill: black in color	Bill: orange in color
Profile/Posture: Straight, sloping profile with bill is heavy and somewhat wedge-shaped in proportion to its large angular head. Holds neck erect.	Profile/Posture: Curving profile with bill is slightly dish-shaped or conclave and is small in proportion to its smoothly rounded head. Holds neck erect.	Profile/Posture: Arches wings over their backs and position their necks in a graceful "S" curve with the bill pointed downward.
Voice: resonant, deep and loud, sonorous and trumpetlike.	Voice: high pitched, often quavering OO-OO-OO, WHO-HO, or variations.	Voice: often silent, but may hiss, grunt, or snort at low volume.
	Behavior: congregate in large flocks during migration.	Behavior: often carry their young on their backs.

Swans versus Snow Goose

Trumpeter Swan/ Tundra Swan	Snow Goose
All White Plummage Long Neck Length: 4 feet Wingspan: 7 feet Weight: 20 - 30 pounds Protected Species	White with black wing tips Short neck Length: 1.5 feet Wingspan: 3.5 feet Legal Game Species

Tundra Swans and Trumpeter Swans are large pure white birds with long necks, and black bills and feet. They are obviously larger than a snow goose. (Note: Swans in their first year of life appear gray and their bills may be pinkish.)

Tundra Swans are relatively common migrants each fall, especially during November. Trumpeter Swans, state endangered birds, are now being introduced by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. They are both protected by state and federal law.

Violations can be reported to your local DNR office or by calling 1-800-TIP-WDNR.

For more information, contact any of the following:

Wisconsin DNR Endangered Resources Program PO Box 7921 Madison, WI 53707 (608) 266-7012	Minnesota DNR (exit DNR) Box 7 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55146 (651) 296-6157
Michigan DNR (exit DNR) Wildlife Division Box 30028 Lansing, MI 48909 (517) 373-1263	Trumpeter Swan Society (exit DNR) 12615 County Road 9 Plymouth, MN 55441-1248 (763) 694-7851

Last Revised: February 13, 2009