Swans or snow geese?

[BackWoodsHunter]

I saw this field of white birds in Richfield, WI the other day so naturally I pulled over and took a little video. I watched them for a little while and can't tell what they are. We don't usually have snow geese around here that I know of so thought it would be weird but possible I guess. Also think its strange that there would be this many swans flocked up together. They look like some sort of goose but then based on their necks when they are in the water they appear to be swans. Sorry for the crappy video quality not sure why it is degraded so much by the time it makes it to youtube, I also had the shakes while filming it was pretty cold out. Anyhow check it out what do you think?

[bbvideo=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNAUYBtHhY8[/bbvideo]

[lungbuster]

I'm no expert, but they look like snow's to me.

[BackWoodsHunter]

thats what i thought too but i googled snow geese and they have black wing tips and tail feathers these birds do not

[Carol]

just my .02 cents.... I say snow geese

[BackWoodsHunter]

we'll go with snow geese then! thanks for the help guys!

[Brandon]

Im going to go against the grain and say swans. Hard to tell in the video, but some key info could help us for sure.

Snow geese are small, same size or smaller than a Canada goose, Swans are HUGE.

Snow geese typically like fields over water, swans feed in water maninly.

The neck position of a swan is a 'S' shape and long (which i see in the video) while a snow has a shorter neck.

The easiest way to tell the difference is by size. Swans are huge, snows are small. Also, snow geese flocks number in the 100's and Ive never seen swan flocks over 50-75.... but Im on the east coast, could vary in your area.

So how big or small where they?

[Brandon]

ok, i watched the entire video this time... DEFINATLEY SWANS, tundra swan to be exact.

I can see the size comparision to the 2 ducks in the middle of the pond, the neck shape, large black bill, long neck, lack of black on wings, feeding in water, ect.

[Black Squirrel]

ok, i watched the entire video this time... DEFINATLEY SWANS, tundra swan to be exact.

I can see the size comparision to the 2 ducks in the middle of the pond, the neck shape, large black bill, long neck, lack of black on wings, feeding in water, ect.

I agree, Swans.

[Dewey]

Look like Tundra Swans to me.
Check out these pics................
http://www.google.com/images?q=tundra+s ... 59&bih=519

[headgear]

That looks like a pile of swans to me. I can't say I have every heard or seen that many together before.

[headgear]

Look like Tundra Swans to me.
Check out these pics................
http://www.google.com/images?q=tundra+s ... 59&bih=519

I think you are right, their necks seem a tad short for trumpeter swans.

[Dewey]

That looks like a pile of swans to me. I can't say I have every heard or seen that many together before.

Probably a flock migrating back north again for the summer.

Migrating and Wintering: Tundra swans winter mainly along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America, from southern British Columbia to California and from New Jersey to South Carolina. In the United States, primary wintering areas include the Atlantic coast from northern South Carolina to southern New Jersey, the Great Salt Lake vicinity and central and northern California.

[BackWoodsHunter]

Oh man pretty cool guys thanks for the help! I thought there was something weird about a flock of big white birds in SE WI! I agree with whoever said I've never seen such a big flock before because neither have I which is why I pulled over and shot some video. I need to start carrying the tripod with me though so it's less shaky. Thanks for the help guys I am happier knowing they are swans than snow geese

[Fuzzy]

Those look like swans to me. I say this because they have black bills. Snow geese have a pink flesh colored bill and black wing tips.

[Beauford]

Swans? The necks look longer than what would be on a snow goose.