Tundra Swan Bird Facts (Cygnus columbianus)

The Tundra Swan is a striking bird with pure white plumage, a long graceful neck, and a black bill often marked with a small yellow patch at the base. Adults typically measure 120-150 cm in length, with a wingspan of 168-211 cm.

Juveniles display grayish-brown feathers, gradually molting to white over their first year. The species shows no significant sexual dimorphism, with males and females appearing nearly identical, though males are usually slightly larger.

The Tundra Swan is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

The Tundra Swan is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Tundra Swan can be found in Wetland habitats.

The Tundra Swan can be found in Coastal habitats.

The Tundra Swan is not typically found in Urban habitats.

The Tundra Swan is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

The Tundra Swan is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

The Tundra Swan is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Tundra Swan can be found in Tundra habitats.

The Tundra Swan is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Tundra Swan is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Tundra Swan is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Tundra Swans breed in the Arctic tundra of North America and Eurasia, favoring shallow wetlands and coastal areas. During migration and winter, they inhabit a variety of wetland habitats, including estuaries, lakes, and flooded fields.

In North America, they winter along both coasts, from Alaska to California in the west and from Maryland to North Carolina in the east.

In Europe, Bewick's Swans (the Eurasian subspecies) winter in the UK, Netherlands, and other parts of Western Europe.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Tundra Swan. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Greenland Russia United States of America

Species that pass through the area during migration

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Tundra Swan demonstrates considerable agility, particularly in flight and water. Their ability to run on water for takeoff and navigate long-distance migrations showcases their nimbleness. However, their large size prevents them from achieving the manoeuvrability of smaller birds.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

With their impressive size and ability to carry substantial body weight during long migrations, Tundra Swans exhibit significant strength. Their powerful wing beats, capable of producing audible whistling sounds, further attest to their muscular prowess.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Tundra Swans show remarkable adaptability, thriving in diverse habitats from Arctic tundra to temperate wetlands and agricultural fields. Their ability to process salt water and adjust their diet from aquatic vegetation to crops demonstrates high adaptability.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

While generally not considered aggressive birds, Tundra Swans vigorously defend their breeding territories and can be protective of their young. Their large size and strong pair bonds contribute to their assertiveness when necessary, but they're not typically confrontational.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Tundra Swan's endurance is exceptional, evidenced by their long-distance migrations spanning thousands of kilometres. Their ability to fly at speeds up to 50 miles per hour during these journeys, coupled with their longevity in the wild (over 20 years for some individuals), underscores their remarkable stamina.

Tundra Swans are primarily herbivorous, feeding on aquatic plants, grasses, and sedges.

They use their long necks to forage underwater and have adapted to grazing in agricultural fields, consuming leftover grains and crops during migration and winter.

Tundra Swans are highly social and often seen in large flocks during migration and winter. They exhibit strong pair bonds, engaging in synchronized swimming and vocalizing.

These birds are excellent swimmers and can run on water to gain flight, a spectacular sight during takeoffs from lakes or ponds.

Tundra Swans are known for their melodious, bugling calls, often described as 'wow-wow-wow' or 'hoop-hoop'. These vocalizations play a crucial role in pair bonding and flock communication.

During flight, their wing beats produce a distinctive whistling sound, earning them the name 'Whistling Swan'.

Tundra Swans form monogamous pairs that often last for life. Breeding occurs during the brief Arctic summer, typically from late May to July. Pairs vigorously defend large territories in the tundra.

Nests are large mounds of vegetation built on slightly elevated ground near water. Females lay 3-5 large, creamy-white eggs, which both parents help to protect.

Incubation lasts about 32 days, with cygnets fledging after 60-75 days. The family group remains together through the first winter and migration, separating the following spring.

The Tundra Swan typically lives for 10 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 24.1 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

While currently listed as Least Concern, Tundra Swans face threats from habitat loss, particularly in their breeding grounds due to climate change.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting key wetland habitats along migration routes and wintering areas, as well as monitoring population trends.

Look for large, white birds in wetlands and agricultural fields during migration seasons.
Listen for their distinctive honking calls, especially in flight.
Observe them in coastal areas and large inland water bodies during winter.
Use a spotting scope to distinguish the yellow bill patch from a distance.
In the UK, focus on wetlands in East Anglia and the Severn Estuary during winter.

Adult Tundra Swans have few natural predators, but eggs and cygnets are vulnerable to Arctic foxes, gulls, jaegers, and occasionally bears.

Tundra Swans can fly at speeds up to 50 miles per hour during migration.
They have a special gland that allows them to drink salt water, enabling survival in coastal habitats.
Some individuals have been known to live over 20 years in the wild.

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