9 replies to this topic

[Triplefeather]

Earlier today I went kayaking with a friend in the swamps near Wooster, Ohio. I suddenly saw two swans the size of Mute swans swimming about 200 feet away. They were constantly making low, two-noted honks. The swans had black beaks and most unusual, a rusty red coloring from their heads and fading at their necks. Neither my friend or I had any idea what this pair of odd birds were, and we were hoping you guys could give us a hint. Thanks!

[Liam]

Welcome to Whatbird!
They're most likely Tundra Swans, as those are migrators in your area. They may have gotten their heads dirty. Was the rest of their body white?

[Triplefeather]

Yes, they were white. I know that they didn't get their heads dirty because both swans had an even tone of red, and both red colorings stopped at the same place, at the base of the neck.

[Sparky the Cuttlefish]

Like so?

http://www.sierrafoo...peter_swan1.jpg

(Trumpeter Swan, not my shot)

[Triplefeather]

Yes, just like that! I suppose it is a juvenile then. If they were in a pair, would they have been siblings? I couldn't find many pictures online of Trumpeter swans with red coloring on their heads.

[Sparky the Cuttlefish]

I agree that you likely saw Tundra Swans, then (though it's hard to be 100% sure that they weren't Trumpeters without a photo, because they have been reported near you in the past) - they show the same rust staining on the head and neck as the Trumpeters do. Both your birds would be adults, if they were all white other than the staining on the head and neck. Juveniles are grey. Your birds were probably a mated pair - they're monogamous.
Did your birds sound like these recordings?

http://www.xeno-cant...ecies_nr=bcoiip

Welcome to Whatbird!

[Triplefeather]

Yep, just like that. One question though- I thought Tundra Swans were white all over, not rusty red on their head and neck.

[Pat B.]

Yep, just like that. One question though- I thought Tundra Swans were white all over, not rusty red on their head and neck.

The rust is just that, rust or iron deposits in whatever water they've been in. Both Tundras and Trumpeters often show this.

[Triplefeather]

Oh, I see. Well, thanks for all of your help! That's another for the list!

[FarAwayEyes]

The rust is just that, rust or iron deposits in whatever water they've been in. Both Tundras and Trumpeters often show this.

High iron deposits in lakes will cause rust on Tundras and Trumpeters. Immatures (Cygnets) would be gray in color. If you saw a pair they are probably looking for a safe nesting area as Cygnets will be coming in June.