3 replies to this topic

[Dr. G]

WhatBird Forum

 

I live on a cove on Barnegat Bay in the Toms River area of the New Jersey shoreline wetlands.  Hundreds of swans live on the Bay year-round.  Canada geese frequent the Bay in Spring, Summer and Fall.  This summer (2007), I noticed what looks like a dusty, grayish-brown swan with reddish-pink eyes and a reddish bill.  The feather coloring is consistent over the entire body.  I’m calling it a swan because it moves along the Bay with the usual white swans.  I’ve noticed this swan having “spats” with its white swan companions.  Sorry, I do not have any pictures of this swan.

 

My question:  Is what I’m observing a species/subspecies of the usual white swan, or could it be a cross between a Canada goose and a white swan?

 

Vincent J. Giglio, Ph.D.

drgiglio@verizon.net

[SeeBirds123]

This could be a juvenile, what type of swans are these?

ML 

[Dr. G]

Sept. 9, 2007

 

The white swans are Mute Swans.  The black swan in question does not look like a juvenile Mute Swan. Does anyone know if a Swan-Canada Goose hybrid is possible?

[Ephily]

As far as I know, A Canada Goose will not breed with a Mute Swan.