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October 19th, 2018, 11:53 AM
#1
Swan Identification Guide
Hello Guys,
The following is a brief Swan Identification Guide with some tips that I prepared for new waterfowl hunters. Delta Waterfowl has now included basic swan identification in its waterfowl identification section of their youth hunter training course.
Jerome
Last edited by Buddy Boy; October 19th, 2018 at 11:58 AM.
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October 19th, 2018 11:53 AM
# ADS
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October 19th, 2018, 11:55 AM
#2
Swan Identification Guide:
There are two native species of swans in North America.
These are the larger Trumpeter Swan (24 to 27 lbs) and the smaller Tundra Swan (16 to 18 lbs). The exotic Mute Swan was introduced to North America from Europe in the late 1800s.
Although the Trumpeter Swan and the Tundra Swan may look similar to one another there are a few differences that will help the beginner to identify these three species of swans.
1) The Trumpeter Swan is larger ... about 1 1/2 times the size of the Tundra Swan.
Tip: The word "trumpeter" (three syllables and nine letters) is bigger than the word "tundra" (two syllables and six letters). Therefore remember that the Trumpeter Swan is bigger than the Tundra Swan by 1 1/2 times (24 to 27 lbs compared to 16 to 18 lbs).
Tip: Remember that the weight (high end) of a Trumpeter Swan is the product of its three syllables times its nine letters (3 x 9 = 27). The Tundra Swan is 2/3 of that weight (18).
2) The Trumpeter Swan's bill and head is "wedge shaped" whereas the Tundra Swan's bill and head is more "curved and round" in shape.
Tip: Think of the Canvasback Duck (a larger duck with a red "wedge shaped" head) compared to the Redhead Duck (a smaller duck with a red "round shaped" head).
Although the Mute Swan is as large as a Trumpeter Swan it has a distinctly orange bill and as the name implies is silent (for the most part). However the Mute Swan will aggressively "hiss" at humans and other waterfowl in the marsh ... a notable "bully" towards other waterfowl.
Note that both the Greater Snow Goose and the Lesser Snow Goose (white phase) have black wing tips while all of the swans have white wing tips.
For more information on swan identification see The Trumpeter Swan Society's web site and "click" on the Swan Identification Brochure tab.
Prepared by Jerome Katchin, D.V.M.
Last edited by Buddy Boy; October 22nd, 2018 at 12:02 PM.
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October 19th, 2018, 01:43 PM
#3
Still won’t stop the dummies from unloading on them I watch two idiots crack off at two trumpeters a few weeks ago good read though
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October 19th, 2018, 01:59 PM
#4
I want mutes on the huntable list.
That is one bully I would take true pleasure in smacking in the head....with a load of BB or T shot.
Take the warning labels off. Darwin will solve the problem.
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October 21st, 2018, 03:33 PM
#5
Hello Snowwalker,
We are working on that issue but it will take some effort to remove them from the "List of Protective Species" even though the Mute Swan (an invasive species) should never have been placed on that list.
One tactic that we could employ would be for all of us to contact the MNRF every time we see a Mute Swan to report an "invasive species" in a particular wetland because that is what the Mute Swan is.
Jerome
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October 21st, 2018, 05:54 PM
#6
Originally Posted by
Buddy Boy
Hello Snowwalker,
We are working on that issue but it will take some effort to remove them from the "List of Protective Species" even though the Mute Swan (an invasive species) should never have been placed on that list.
One tactic that we could employ would be for all of us to contact the MNRF every time we see a Mute Swan to report an "invasive species" in a particular wetland because that is what the Mute Swan is.
Jerome
The number of times I have heard of or seen them attack, people, pets, other wildlife and livestock. Yes livestock, horses to be exact.
!st wife's sister work on a dude/horse ranch. There was a lovely trout stream through one corner at the back of the pasture, with a pool. Two swans kept twelve horses from the water for two months. Can you understand how much water they had to move to water twelve horses every day for two months?
Alberta Fish and Wildlife said because the swans are protected, the owners just had to wait till they moved by themselves.
they did not have a nest, and were two males so they had no signets.
Last edited by Snowwalker; October 22nd, 2018 at 10:06 AM.
Take the warning labels off. Darwin will solve the problem.
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October 21st, 2018, 09:32 PM
#7
Any plans for opening a sand hill crane season in Ontario? I know it’s off topic other states and province have open season and we do have a lot here!
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October 22nd, 2018, 12:07 PM
#8
Hello Snowwalker,
It would help if you submitted a short letter to the CWS with copies to Delta Waterfowl, the MNRF and the OFAH requesting a delisting of them.
Jerome
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October 22nd, 2018, 12:12 PM
#9
Hello Radartrap,
The OFAH is currently working on obtaining a limited Sandhill Crane season for Ontario and your support would be appreciated. Please submit a short note of support to the OFAH with a copy to Delta Waterfowl so that they will know the level of support for such a season.
Jerome
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October 22nd, 2018, 04:02 PM
#10
Originally Posted by
Buddy Boy
Hello Snowwalker,
It would help if you submitted a short letter to the CWS with copies to Delta Waterfowl, the MNRF and the OFAH requesting a delisting of them.
Jerome
Already wrote letters before.
Take the warning labels off. Darwin will solve the problem.