Here are some trumpeter swan pics that I took last October (10-20-08) at
Crex Meadows.
These things that look like collars around the swans neck are actually bands.
When they get banded a US Fish and Wildlife Service band is usually placed around their leg, just the same way that other birds are banded.
The collar is just an extra band so that they can be identified by by sight or through a scope, something that would be very difficult on a leg band.
The color of the band identifies what type of swan that it is. Trumpeters have collars that are red, yellow or green. While tundra swans are given collars that are grey, blue or black.
Even though the collars are made of light plastic and are placed
loosely around the neck there is some concern that the collars may present a safety risk to the swan. This is especially true in northern regions during the winter time. People have reported seeing swans with ice built up around the collar. The extra weight can affect their flight or worse yet can cause the swans to drown when it can no longer hold its head up out of the water due to the weight.
These things that look like collars around the swans neck are actually bands.
When they get banded a US Fish and Wildlife Service band is usually placed around their leg, just the same way that other birds are banded.
The collar is just an extra band so that they can be identified by by sight or through a scope, something that would be very difficult on a leg band. 
The color of the band identifies what type of swan that it is. Trumpeters have collars that are red, yellow or green. While tundra swans are given collars that are grey, blue or black.
Even though the collars are made of light plastic and are placed loosely around the neck there is some concern that the collars may present a safety risk to the swan. This is especially true in northern regions during the winter time. People have reported seeing swans with ice built up around the collar. The extra weight can affect their flight or worse yet can cause the swans to drown when it can no longer hold its head up out of the water due to the weight. 
3 comments:
Those are great photos but it does look like a dangerous place to put bands. Who knows how much a water fowls neck will grow. Those plastic band are forever also.You would think they have learned a lesson already and quit that type of banding. Helen
Hi,
These guys looks like huge bird! Are they bigger than the whooper swan?
I love the set where this guy is stretching its wings!!
Amazing wingspan. Swans we do have and I never tire of photographing then.
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