|
Post by Chris on Mar 9, 2014 14:38:19 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by Randy on Mar 9, 2014 20:08:55 GMT -8
I think they are a Eurasian subspecies of Tundra swan. I'm happy to be corrected though...
|
|
|
Post by Gord on Mar 10, 2014 10:39:57 GMT -8
All the information about Bewick's Swan is correct, however I think these birds are Whooper Swans. They're Asia's version of Trumpeter Swan, however the Whooper Swan is its own species. Whoopers are kept in captivity and I suspect these birds are likely escapees. Wild Whooper Swans have occurred though in North America mixed in with flocks of Trumpeter Swan.
The Mute Swans there are likely 'countable' as this species, while introduced, has bred successfully in the Fraser Valley. It will be interesting if these Whoopers do as well if that is a male and female.
|
|
|
Post by denisknopp on Mar 10, 2014 20:41:31 GMT -8
Good call Gord I agree there Whooper Swans. But don't caged bird have to be pinioned in order to get a permit to possess them?
|
|
|
Post by Gord on Mar 12, 2014 21:22:51 GMT -8
Denis, I think you're right. Looking closer at the pictures, almost looks like the left wing on both is shorter and likely pinioned?
|
|
|
Post by murraybrown on Mar 13, 2014 11:14:50 GMT -8
I seem to recall that someone in Cultus Lake had at least one Whooper in a small fenced pond about three years ago. I also know of some others that are kept on a property adjacent to Aldergrove Regional Park. According to the permit they are supposed to be pinioned, but sometimes the young birds manage to get airborne before that happens. Although I agree that these birds appear to have been fixed, sometimes not enough of the primary feathers are removed and the birds learn to compensate and fly anyway. I saw what was verified as a wild WHSW in Mammit Lake in the B.C. interior several years ago and I remember that Thor Manson had one in a flock of TRSW in Washington two or three years ago. So they are to be looked for.
|
|