Swomee-Swans

Dr. Suess' Swomee-Swans have exhibited some interesting changes since they first appeared in the 1971 children's book The Lorax.  In the book, the swans are simple long-tailed and floppy winged birds with orange bodies and yellow heads and beaks.  They apparently fly through the air, swim in the water, hang out in the Truffula trees, and their calls ring out in space.  After the smog from the factories pollute the air, they are forced to leave in a sad exit flight.

Swomee-Swan hanging out in a Truffula tree, The Lorax (1971)

Swomee-Swan swimming and possibly singing, The Lorax (1971)

Exit flight of the Swomee-Swans from The Lorax (1971) 

On February 14, 1972, the Swomee-Swans appeared in the CBS television animated musical production of The Lorax produced by DePatie-Freleng Enterprises (watch below).

In this production, the Swomee-Swans have changed appearance, and are now white with orange heads.

White bodied Swomee-Swan, The Lorax television special (1972)

White-bodied Swomee-Swan with the Lorax, The Lorax television special (1972)

Departure of the Swomee-Swans, The Lorax television special (1972)

Forty years later, in the computer animated Lorax movie produced by Illumination Entertainment (watch trailer below), the Swomee-Swans have changed once more and are now yellowish-orange bodied with darker orange heads.  Their odd plumed neck rings are now more conspicuous as well.

Orange-bodied Swomee-Swans (with Barbaloots), The Lorax movie (2012)

Dancing Swomee-Swan, The Lorax movie (2012)

Swomee-Swans with Hummingfish, Barbaloots, and The Lorax, The Lorax movie (2012)

I'm sure we haven't seen the last of the Swomee-Swans, and look forward to see how these whimsical birds continue to transform over the next forty years.