Swan Head and Bill Characteristics

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Trumpeter Black bill with red border on lower mandible; the red border may be present on some tundras. Bill heavy in proportion to head with a straight profile. Angular head shape somewhat resembling canvasback duck. Eye not distinct from bill.	Tundra Black bill, usually with yellow spot of varying size in front of the eye; this spot may be absent on some Tundras. Bill more dish-shaped in profile, bill smaller in proportion to head compared to trumpeter. Head smoothly rounded, eye usually distinct from bill.

The shape of the head profile may vary between individual birds. Tundra swans, especially, have a wide range of head-bill shapes, some having very obvious concave bills, while others appear straighter. Look carefully at the eye area for any yellow on the lore and to see if the eye is distinct from the bill as in the tundra swan.