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Re: Bewick's Swan photos



Hello all,

Neat bird and great photos. The yellow on the bill of the swan in question is so obvious that it is apparent even in the top (zoomed out) photo. I checked out Lars Jonsson's Birds of Europe and my first impression was that Bewick's has more extensive yellow on the bill. Having no other waterfowl of the world reference handy, I figured I'd check the Sibley Guide (to North America...remember when that was the only "Sibley Guide"?). The illustration of the Tundra Whistling/Bewick's complex on Page 73 shows what I would consider a very nice depiction of the swan in the photos. This apparently represents the maximum amount of yellow found on the bill of the North American (Whistling) population. I would argue that the photos show a bill with a bit more yellow that what Sibley depicts but not nearly enough for a Bewick's. Both Sibley and Jonsson's illustrations show Bewick's with yellow that connects or nearly connects at the upper base of the bill (in front of the eyes). The swan in the photo does not seem to have yellow that is extensive enough for Bewick's. And finally, Jonsson answered my question of age in stating "Shape of the 'yellow' at bill base is indicated at an early age by a slightly paler pink tone." Plus, this bird wouldn't be nearly as white if it were young.
I'd love to hear more input from people who have more info or access to waterfowl-specific books in regards to the extent of the yellow. Regardless, this is a neat bird that will certainly get me looking at swans a bit more closely. Thanks.


Sincerely,
Matt Williams
Provo, UT

At 08:05 AM 3/22/2005 -0500, you wrote:

Phil Douglass got some pictures of a possible Bewick's Swan (eurasian subspecies of the Tundra Swan) at Harold Crane WMA. Ted Steinke got some up-close photo of possibly the same bird at Salt Creek WMA a week later.

Here's a link to Phil Douglass's photos which has a linke to Ted Steinke's closeups.

http://utahbirds.org/hotlinephotos/BewicksSwan.htm


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