Tundra Swan (Whistling Swan)

This is a clean white flight feather from a large, elegant waterfowl. Adult Tundra Swans are entirelly white with black legs and bills, often displaying a small yellow spot near the eye. They are slightly smaller than Trumpeter Swans but carry a similar majestic presence in flight.

Pure snowy white across both dorsal and ventral surfaces; no banding or markings, which is diagnostic for adult individuals of this species. The rachis is also white to translucent.

Densely interlocked pennaceous barbs designed for flight stability and water resistance; plumulaceous (downy) barbs present at the very base of the calamus.

Thick, sturdy white rachis that is relatively stiff. Barbs are tightly packed and uniform in white pigment, branching at an acute angle toward the tip.

Smooth, somewhat stiff, and waxy to the touch due to preen oils. The surface has a matte to low-lustre finish typical of aquatic birds.

Wing - Secondary. The moderate asymmetry and slightly curved rachis indicate a position on the inner wing rather than a primary feather.

Large size, pure white coloration lacking any grey or brown (indicating an adult), and a very sturdy rachis typical of high-endurance migratory fliers.

Breeds on Arctic tundra near lakes and pools; winters in shallow coastal bays, estuaries, and flooded agricultural fields (common in Oregon's high desert during migration).

Holarctic distribution. In North America, they breed in Alaska and Northern Canada, migrating through the Pacific Northwest (including Bend, OR) to winter on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts.

They are primarily herbivores, grazing on aquatic vegetation and agricultural waste grain. They serve as indicators of wetland health and climate shifts in the Arctic.

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) feathers are significantly larger; Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens) feathers are smaller and often have black tips on primaries.

Tundra Swans can fly at altitudes of over 8,000 feet and travel thousands of miles during migration. They are known for their high-pitched, barking calls that sound like a distant 'woo-ho'.

Swan feathers have historically been used for high-quality quill pens and fletching for arrows. They are also powerful symbols of purity and fidelity in various indigenous cultures.

Look for these in late autumn or early spring near large open water bodies or flooded fields in Central Oregon. They are often found near communal roosting sites.

Fair to Good. There is some separation of the barbs (zipper-like effect) near the tip and edges, likely due to mechanical wear or the feather being dropped during molt.

Bend or