The swan has a long neck, even longer than a goose. In fact, of a swan's 60 vertebrae 25 are found in the neck. The wings of the Tundra Swan are strong yet fragile. Like all birds the bones in the wing are hollow and covered with skin and feathers. A bony knuckle at the end of each wing is used for defense against predators.
Swans have black webbed feet with three strongly nailed toes.
These nails are used to break up vegetation from the pond bottom. Their webbed feet are prefect paddles in water, but swans waddle clumsily on land. The Tundra Swan is recognized by its white plumage, small and sleek head and black bill. Tundra Swans can also be identified by a yellow spot just in front of their eye. A swan has two nasal glands above the eyes.