What
Species:
Species Identification Confidence:
Probably. I'm a bit uncertain
Observation Method(s):
Individual(s) Observed (seen)
Count:
3
Count Type:
Absolute
Sex:
Unknown
Life State:
Alive
Life Stage:
Mature (Adult)
Species Account:
I was driving on a back-road I take every day to work. I looked out into the field and about 80 yards away or so, I saw 3 large, white birds with very long necks. They looked very slightly dirty. They were so unusual to me, I slowed down. My first thought was, "Is that a swan?" Then I thought maybe they were some kind of crane, but their legs were too short. Then I thought maybe they were a type of goose, but it's neck was too long, and they were bigger than Canadian Geese (which I've observed many times in that same field). They were in a field of new wheat sprouts, walking around and looked like they were eating the sprouts. There was standing water. Their bills were dark.
They were very calm and walking slowly. I should have taken a picture, but there was a bend in the road behind me, and nowhere to pull over.
They could have been Tundra Swans, but according to a pamphlet online, if the bills of the bird look > 2 Inches, it is likely a trumpeter swan. Their bills looked larger than 2 inches to me.
The bills were slightly flat at the end (less pointy than photos of Tundra Swan's bills I have seen so far).
They were very calm and walking slowly. I should have taken a picture, but there was a bend in the road behind me, and nowhere to pull over.
They could have been Tundra Swans, but according to a pamphlet online, if the bills of the bird look > 2 Inches, it is likely a trumpeter swan. Their bills looked larger than 2 inches to me.
The bills were slightly flat at the end (less pointy than photos of Tundra Swan's bills I have seen so far).
Where
Location:
Decimal Degrees: 46.7,-117.0
Location Precision:
±50 meters
Location Resource:
Google Maps Pin Drag & Dropped
Location Use:
Unknown
Habitat Description:
Wet field with standing water. Local farmer's (I think) field. Young wheat sprouts. There's a small creek between the road and the field. Big, open, flat spot. Not as hilly as the other fields.
Region:
Game Management Unit:
County:
When
Date Time:
March 29, 2018, 8:10 am PDT
Date/Time Precision:
Minute
Date Notes:
I was driving to work, so I only observed them for a minute. They didn't seem like they were in a rush to get anywhere.
I didn't know they were potentially anything special, otherwise I would have been more thorough. I made a mental note to look them up when I got to a computer.
I didn't know they were potentially anything special, otherwise I would have been more thorough. I made a mental note to look them up when I got to a computer.
Who
& How
Identification Tools:
IDFG website, Waterfowl Identification.
Survey Method:
Incidental Observation
Location Unresolveable:
No
Source Type:
Animal Observation Report (Sightings)
Verification Status:
Unreviewed