Bewick's or Whooper?

RobinP · #1 (**permalink**) 23-02-2009, 09:01 AM

My guess would be Bewick's, seems a little smaller than the Mute Swan and not enough yellow on the bill for Whooper.

Not sure if both these pictures are of the same bird btw, it was three years ago!

Mungo · #2 (**permalink**) 23-02-2009, 09:04 AM

Hi Robin

My guess would be Whoopers, I was told yesterday that Bewicks have a black bill with a little yellow, Whoopers have a yellow bill with a little black.

I hope someone can confirm for me/us

diggleken · #3 (**permalink**) 23-02-2009, 10:06 AM

They are Whoopers - the yellow on the bill and overall size are what to look out for mainly.
Bewicks are of course smaller but the yellow bill patch is rounded, whereas whoopers yellow patch tends to a point, so these are all whooper swans.
Lovely birds.

Cheers
Ken

Picidae · #4 (**permalink**) 23-02-2009, 10:10 AM

Yes it's a whooper. Cf. the size to the Mute in your photo. Bewicks are much smaller. Bill pattern of Whooper shows a deep indent of yellow towards the tip of the bill, on Bewicks, the black division is almost vertical on the upper mandible and bill is shorter.

See I cross posted with Ken ... would help if my firefox didn't boot me out every 3 minutes when I try to reply to posts!