Re: Bewick's Swan photos

["Matthew J. Williams" <mjw22 at comcast dot net>]

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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