| Common Name | Trumpeter swan |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cygnus buccinator |
| Type of Report | Rare Species |
| Date of Observation | 04/28/2019 |
| Number Observed | 3 |
| Reporting Observer's Name | Judy Sefchick |
| Mailing Address | 85 Courser Road Enosburg Falls, VT 05450 United States Map It |
| Email hidden; Javascript is required. | |
| Date Completed | 12/10/2019 |
| Names & Emails of Other Contributing Observers | none |
| Latitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide) | 44.8563348 |
| Longitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide) | -72.7494957 |
| Place Name | Courser Road |
| Township | Enosburg |
| County | Franklin |
| Vermont eBird Checklist URL | ebird.org |
| Time of Day | 07:38 AM |
| Length of Time Observed | 5 seconds |
| Maximum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet) | 500 |
| Minimum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet) | 100 |
| Noteworthy Weather Conditions | Clear, blue sky |
| Optical Equipment Used for Observation | Swarovski 8.5x42 binoculars |
| Observer’s Previous Acquaintance With This or Similar Species | Very familiar with swan species and their differences, as I've spent time observing them in CA, OR, MN, NJ (mute), and other states, including Vermont |
| I certify that any attachments included with this report were captured during this observation event. | |
| Description of Habitat | Few landowners on road, so large contiguous tracts of beech-hemlock forest interspersed with homesteads and small pastures; 12-acre Adams Pond (< 2 miles away) and 27-acre Beaver Meadow Brook (lower) < 1 mile away |
| Behaviors Observed | 3 large white birds flying low (~100 ft), just above tree tops in a tight "V" formation, with two birds in front and one behind; long white outstretched necks and large all-white bodies distinguished them from geese, egrets, and ibis; no yellow seen on lores as they were flying towards me; totally ignored me as they flew by |
| Description of Vocalizations | Two low-pitched, gentle, relaxed honks were given as they flew by (verified calls with xeno-canto and Cornell Birdsong as trumpeter swan takeoff/flight song) |
| Verbal Narrative & Description of Observation | Observed 3 large white birds flying low (~100 ft), just above tree tops in a tight "V" formation, with two birds in front and one behind, at 7:38 a.m.. Long white outstretched necks and large all-white bodies distinguished them from geese, egrets, and ibis. No yellow seen on lores as they were flying towards me, though observation was only ~ 5 seconds long. The characteristic for positive identification was the vocalization, as two low-pitched, gentle, relaxed honks were given as they flew by. Immediately after seeing/hearing them, I verified the call with xeno-canto and Cornell Birdsong as trumpeter swan taking off/flight song. I'm very familiar with swans and their differences, as I've spent time observing them in CA, OR, MN NJ (mute), and other states, including Vermont. |
| Relative Size & Shape | Very large-bodied, all-white birds, with long outstretched necks, identified these as swans; could hear wingbeats as got closer |
| Head | No yellow seen on lores as they were flying towards me; dark eye and bill; throat, nape, and cheeks white |
| Feet & Bill | relatively long, straight, black bill with no yellow; flying with feet (nondescript) tucked close to body |
| Upper Back | Large, white |
| Lower Back & Rump | Large, white |
| Wings | Large, white (no black); could hear wingbeats as they flew overhead |
| Breast, Belly, Flanks, Under Tail Coverts | White, large |
| Tail | White, no markings |
| IMPORTANT: What similar species were eliminated when making the identification and how was this bird different? | Long white outstretched necks and large all-white bodies distinguished them from: snow geese (smaller, shorter bill, black on wings), egrets (smaller, slender, long thin bill) and ibis (smaller, black wingtips, thin decurved bill) |
| Other Notes & Comments | no |
| This report was written from notes taken: | During the Observation |
Vermont Atlas of Life Partners
