My experience in watching #962's brother (Trumpeter Swan #960) at the Oxbow Lake Nature Preserve is that the yellow patagial tags (one on each wing) is not always observable when the swan is on the water. The tags get tucked in beneath his feathers. If you are lucky enough to watch him fly and he flies directly toward or away from you, the tags are usually visible.

Marcy Stutzman
Russett, MD 20724