Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Tundra Swan/Wild Bird

Tundra swans (Cygnus columbianus)

Tundra swans are on their way back to North America's high tundra, here stopping to rest a while before continuing their journey.

Swimming in a pond with Canada geese

Tundra swans  eat aquatic plants, tubers and roots as well as shellfish. In some places they also eat grains they find on farms.

Four swans a-swimming and one goose

They look meek and mild but they can be ferocious if threatened.

We have three kinds of swans in Ontario. Many Mute and Trumpeter swans are here all year round, but these Tundras migrate between the Arctic and the Atlantic coast so will not be here very long.

Added later in responce to MB: Tundra swans do look a lot like trumpeter swans. One telltale sign on some Tundra swans is the yellow teardrop on their eyes. They don't all have the yellow teardrop though. It may be something that happens as the tundra swans age. Dunno. You can see the yellow teardrop on the lead swan in the first photo.

I am joining Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE

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49 comments:

  1. Cezar and LéiaMarch 26, 2013 at 4:59 AM

    They live peaceful in harmony, gorgeous critters and your pictures are adorable!
    hugs
    Léia

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  2. AndyMarch 26, 2013 at 5:06 AM

    It's a good sign that spring is not far behind. Keep on clicking.

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  3. Yogi♪♪♪March 26, 2013 at 7:02 AM

    They are so graceful.

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  4. MadSnapperMarch 26, 2013 at 7:20 AM

    I would love to see these guys, i have only seen captive swans in Jungle Gardens, i don't think we have wild ones here, maybe they need cold.
    i wonder how many kilometrage they fly? lol

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  5. Gail DixonMarch 26, 2013 at 9:42 AM

    Very pretty and graceful birds.

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  6. LowellMarch 26, 2013 at 9:48 AM

    I don't understand any animal that goes north at anytime of year! Saw lots of Canadian geese on the golf course Sunday. A few came honking by just over our heads. I was happy they didn't drop any special greetings!

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  7. DanaMarch 26, 2013 at 10:01 AM

    They're beautiful. My kids love to feed them.

    Wonderful photos! I hope you have a great Tuesday.

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  8. MaggidMarch 26, 2013 at 10:03 AM

    beautiful! I'm glad to see them in photo form - I would not like a personal encounter - at least, not if they are upset.
    love & love,
    -g-

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  9. DarlaMarch 26, 2013 at 10:23 AM

    Such elegant looking birds. It they are headed North then spring must be on the way.

    Darla

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  10. TexWisGirlMarch 26, 2013 at 10:45 AM

    i like these dark-billed swans. very pretty.

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  11. KarenMarch 26, 2013 at 10:54 AM

    We have thousands of these stop over at a sanctuary near here. I missed them this year, so it is great to see your shots!

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  12. GeorgeMarch 26, 2013 at 11:08 AM

    I'm glad they stayed in Ontario long enough for you to get these pictures. Swans always look so elegant. I especially like your first photo.

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  13. MalyssMarch 26, 2013 at 11:49 AM

    Swans always make me think of dancers, elegant and smart.. But I prefer to stay away, I know they can bite hardly!

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  14. LONDONLULUMarch 26, 2013 at 12:31 PM

    They are a beautiful sight, even if it doesn't always last! I love the white on white, grey, slate, blue here:)

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  15. SnowcatcherMarch 26, 2013 at 12:38 PM

    We're beginning to get a few migratory birds through our neck of the woods, too, but none so far as graceful as these!

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  16. IndraniMarch 26, 2013 at 12:44 PM

    So gentle and beautiful!

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  17. Susan AndersonMarch 26, 2013 at 1:05 PM

    I'm always amazed at how tough those graceful swans can be!

    =)

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  18. Small City ScenesMarch 26, 2013 at 1:21 PM

    Wonderful pictures. EG. They look a lot like trumpeter Swan. Are they smaller? We get some tundra Swan here during the winter but I guess I can't tell the difference. MB

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  19. DeannaMarch 26, 2013 at 1:54 PM

    beautiful birds/ducks but I know they can be unpleasant.

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  20. AnonymousMarch 26, 2013 at 1:57 PM

    Swans always look so elegant as they drift serenly by.

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  21. mickMarch 26, 2013 at 2:58 PM

    Great photos of beautiful birds.

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  22. GigaMarch 26, 2013 at 3:14 PM

    Są śliczne i pewno miło było ci je oglądać. Pozdrawiam.
    They're beautiful and you definitely nice to watch them. Yours.

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  23. RedPatMarch 26, 2013 at 3:21 PM

    Such elegant creatures! If I had wings I'd go south for the winter too.

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  24. KayMarch 26, 2013 at 3:47 PM

    I saw my first swans here in January, pecking away in a fallow field. They really are lovely and your shots are great. But they and geese do know how to use their beaks as weapons!

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  25. HansHBMarch 26, 2013 at 3:55 PM

    Lovely photos of these tundra-swans!
    Lovely to study you post!

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  26. KarenMarch 26, 2013 at 3:57 PM

    Tundra swans look so regal and elegant, lovely captures.

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  27. JanieMarch 26, 2013 at 4:49 PM

    The tundra swans are just beautiful. Interesting to learn about the yellow teardrop distinction from the trumpeter swans.

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  28. i stora dragMarch 26, 2013 at 5:16 PM

    Maybe you seen that I like swans, but this I had never seen before! Thanks for sharing those nice pictures!
    Greetings Pia

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  29. AnonymousMarch 26, 2013 at 5:16 PM

    Magnificent wildlife photography as always ! Beautiful!

    Thanks for coming by and commenting ~ Enjoy ^_^

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  30. UnknownMarch 26, 2013 at 5:29 PM

    there are on their way to Michigan I bet! nice shots!

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  31. Jenn JilksMarch 26, 2013 at 5:55 PM

    How beaultiful!!!!
    Cheers from Cottage Country!

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  32. eileeninmdMarch 26, 2013 at 6:05 PM

    Great post on the Tundra Swans. They are beautiful, awesome shots.

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  33. JillMarch 26, 2013 at 8:42 PM

    Oh how I love their graceful beauty!

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  34. SandyCarlsonMarch 26, 2013 at 9:17 PM

    These are gorgeous birds!

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  35. EbieMarch 26, 2013 at 9:22 PM

    Are they coming over here in SoCal? I want to see them too!

    Lovely photos!

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  36. JoriMarch 26, 2013 at 9:28 PM

    I don't think I have ever seen a swan in the wild. Beautiful!

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  37. RandyMarch 26, 2013 at 10:27 PM

    You so lucky to see so many different birds.

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  38. LindaMarch 26, 2013 at 10:39 PM

    I live in Montreal so don't get much of a chance to see large birds...however, I have seen a few herons in the summer, ducks all year round (yes, many stay for the winter here), Canada geese and a variety of smaller birds. Swans...I have only seen a couple of them, including black ones, but those are at a nature park. Love your photos.

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  39. StephanieMarch 26, 2013 at 10:41 PM

    Nice looking birds.

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  40. Wally JonesMarch 27, 2013 at 12:16 AM

    Thank you for an informative post and wonderful images!
    Beautiful creatures.

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  41. CarlettaMarch 27, 2013 at 12:29 AM

    Wonderful that you get to catch a glimpse of them on their migration.
    Really good info and I appreciate knowing the differences you described.

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  42. BlogBeeMarch 27, 2013 at 2:13 AM

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    ReplyDelete
  43. Stewart MMarch 27, 2013 at 5:40 AM

    These are such elegant birds. I used to love the way we would have swans come migrate to the UK in winter.

    We only have one species of native sawn here - and its black in colour.

    Cheers and thanks for linking to WBW - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  44. DeniseinVAMarch 27, 2013 at 7:33 AM

    Gorgeous swans! I rarely get to see them.

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  45. FayeMarch 27, 2013 at 1:19 PM

    Beautiful creatures. Glad they stopped off in your area so you could get pics of them. Many years ago on a garden tour of England our group got too close to some babies swimming in a stream. The swan mother warned us off in no uncertain terms. Is it true that they will "beat" you with wings when attacking?

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  46. UnknownMarch 27, 2013 at 2:19 PM

    Great shots!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  47. NatureFootstepMarch 27, 2013 at 5:21 PM

    they look a lot like whooper swans. Seems to be the coloring that differs. Great shots.

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  48. AnonymousMarch 28, 2013 at 7:10 PM

    Such elegant birds.

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  49. Mary Howell CromerMarch 29, 2013 at 7:49 AM

    They are quite beautiful and handsome Swans and yes, I am thinking they can be just as mean as our Mute Swans in this area~

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