Whooper Swan Bird Facts (Cygnus cygnus)

The Whooper Swan is a majestic, large waterfowl with pure white plumage and distinctive yellow and black bill. Adults typically measure 140-165 cm in length, with a wingspan of 205-275 cm, making them one of the largest flying birds in the Northern Hemisphere.

Both sexes share identical plumage, but females are slightly smaller than males. Juveniles have greyish-brown plumage, gradually turning white as they mature.

The bill pattern, with its extensive yellow area reaching the tip, distinguishes Whooper Swans from other swan species. Their legs and webbed feet are black.

The Whooper Swan is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

The Whooper Swan is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Whooper Swan can be found in Wetland habitats.

The Whooper Swan can be found in Coastal habitats.

The Whooper Swan is not typically found in Urban habitats.

The Whooper Swan is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

The Whooper Swan can be found in Grassland habitats.

The Whooper Swan is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Whooper Swan can be found in Tundra habitats.

The Whooper Swan is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Whooper Swan is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Whooper Swan is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Whooper Swans breed in the subarctic regions of Europe and Asia, including Iceland, northern Scandinavia, and Siberia. They prefer shallow lakes, marshes, and slow-flowing rivers in tundra and taiga habitats.

During winter, they migrate to temperate regions, including coastal areas and wetlands in the UK, Ireland, and parts of continental Europe. Some populations also winter in East Asia, including Japan and eastern China.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Whooper 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

Belarus Kazakhstan Mongolia Russia Turkmenistan United States of America

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Algeria Cyprus Egypt Hungary Israel Liechtenstein Luxembourg Portugal Qatar Syria Tunisia United Arab Emirates

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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 Whooper Swan demonstrates considerable agility for its size. It's a strong flyer capable of long-distance migrations at high altitudes, and shows grace in swimming and foraging behaviours. However, its large size does limit manoeuvrability compared to smaller birds.

Strength

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

As one of the largest flying birds in the Northern Hemisphere, the Whooper Swan possesses significant strength. Its ability to break ice with its feet and carry its substantial body weight during long flights indicates impressive muscular power.

Adaptability

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

Whooper Swans show notable adaptability. They can thrive in various habitats from sea level to 2,300 metres elevation, adjust their diet seasonally, and cope with different climates during migration. Their ability to utilise agricultural fields also demonstrates adaptability to human-altered landscapes.

Aggressiveness

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

While not typically aggressive, Whooper Swans can display territorial behaviour during breeding season. Their large size and strong familial bonds suggest they would defend their young if threatened. However, they are generally social birds, often seen in large flocks.

Endurance

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

The Whooper Swan exhibits exceptional endurance. Its ability to undertake long-distance migrations, flying at altitudes up to 8,000 metres, demonstrates remarkable stamina. Additionally, their capacity to survive in harsh subarctic breeding grounds and winter in various climates further attests to their endurance.

Whooper Swans are primarily herbivorous, feeding on aquatic vegetation, grasses, and crops. They use their long necks to reach submerged plants and often graze on land. In winter, they may supplement their diet with leftover grains in agricultural fields.

Whooper Swans are highly social birds, often seen in large flocks during migration and winter. They are strong fliers capable of long-distance flights at high altitudes.

These swans are known for their graceful swimming and upending behaviour while foraging in shallow waters.

Whooper Swans are known for their loud, trumpeting calls, often described as a deep 'hoop' or 'whoop-whoop'. The sound can resemble an old-fashioned car air horn.

These vocalisations are frequently heard during flight and in social interactions. The calls are more resonant and lower-pitched compared to other swan species, contributing to their common name.

Whooper Swans form monogamous pairs that often mate for life. Breeding occurs in the summer months, typically from May to July. They construct large nests of vegetation near water, often on small islands or shorelines.

Females lay 4-7 creamy white eggs, which both parents incubate for about 35 days. The cygnets are precocial, able to swim and feed themselves shortly after hatching, but remain with their parents for protection.

Young swans fledge after about 87 days but often stay with their parents through the first winter and migration, forming strong family bonds.

The Whooper Swan typically lives for 9 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 26.7 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, Whooper Swans face threats from habitat loss, particularly in their breeding grounds. Climate change may affect their migration patterns and breeding success.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting wetland habitats and monitoring population trends.

Look for Whooper Swans in large, open wetlands and coastal areas during winter
Listen for their loud, trumpeting calls, which are often heard before the birds are seen
Observe their distinctive yellow and black bill pattern to differentiate them from other swan species
In the UK, visit nature reserves in Scotland and eastern England (East Anglia) during winter months for the best viewing opportunities

Adult Whooper Swans have few natural predators due to their size, but eggs and cygnets may fall prey to foxes, large gulls, and birds of prey.

Whooper Swans can fly at altitudes of up to 8,000 meters during migration.
Whoopers undertake the longest sea crossing of any swan, between 500 to 900 miles each way annually.
They have been known to break ice with their feet to access feeding areas in frozen lakes.
Whooper Swans feature prominently in various Northern European and Asian folklore and mythologies.
The Whooper Swan is the national bird of Finland and features on the Finnish one Euro coin.

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