Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) - 02Jan2016

In 2016 we had several Trumpeters hanging out at Mattamuskeet right off the main road which was nice because usually if you want one in NC you have to search through thousands of Tundra Swans.

The best field mark is lores which pinch much more on a Tundra.  On a Trumpeter like this one, the black area just in front of the eye is much wider and gives the appearance of a larger bill.

Here is a nice comparison of the Trumpeter on the left and a Tundra on the right.  On the Tundra, you can just make out some of the yellow color next to the eye.