What's the difference between a swan and a goose? joe does a swan There are five types of swan or geese. Four are from North America (Trumpeter swan, Tundra swan, Canadian goose, and Snow goose) and one from Europe/Asia (the Mute swan). Four main differences between these birds: Size Color Call Bill The Iowa Department of Natural Resources publishes a pamphlet, "It's important to know". I guess, because in Iowa, it's important to know the difference between a swan and a goose. Not so much in the rest of the world, but it makes for pretty interesting reading. If you have a bird fetish. To read the pamphlet go here: http://www.stuorg.iastate.edu/swan/pamphlet.html Otherwise I'll sum it up this way -- swans have long necks and geese have short ones. That's really the only difference. The classic white, hooked necked swan is actually the Mute swan a native of Europe and considered a nuisance in North America. It is not mute by the way, but makes gentle hissing noises which I guess are better than the woo-oo-woo of swans or the ha-lonk of geese. You decide. << in the beginning.. Got a stupid question for Joe? Email it to him! Content & Photos © 2004 Laura Laytham, laura@girlsaresmarter.com.