Tundra Swans along the Niagara River
Tundra Swans
By: Pat Coate
While driving along West River Parkway on Grand Island I saw several groups of tundra swans swimming and feeding near shore. In total, there were at least 30 swans – the most I have ever seen at one time.
Tundra Swans with Canada Geese
Most of the groups of swans scattered along the island’s shore had Canada geese mixed in. Though they were only a short swim from the Canadian border the geese were on the U.S. side of the Niagara River!
I think of Canada geese as large birds but the swans were markedly bigger as shown above.
Tundra Swans
There were a number of immature swans too – two are shown above. They are similar in size to the adults but are darkly colored instead of white and the bills have not turned fully black yet.
Tundra Swans
Though a bit hard to see in the photos, one of the field marks for adult tundra swans is a yellow spot in front of the eyes. It is somewhat visible on the swan on the right in the above picture.
Tundra Swan with Canada Geese
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Mon@rch's Nature Blog 
So sad in that first picture that so many of the swans had lost their heads. I hope they caught the guy.
31 January 2013 at 11:49 am
As my three daughters would tell you,” Tundra swans wear argyle socks! They fit loose ’cause they are wet! Sometimes they fall off! Then the swan tips over to search the ground below in order to find them. You can tell this is true, because when they are upside down, you can see their feet, and there are no socks on them!” So there, now you know!
4 February 2013 at 6:23 pm