Animal
Tundra swan
Cygnus columbianus
Also known as: Whistling swan
A large native North American swan (47–58 inches, 13–21 lbs), the smaller of the two native swans (the trumpeter swan is larger). Breeds on Arctic tundra ponds across northern Alaska and Canada; winters on East Coast and West Coast estuaries. The eastern population winters in significant numbers on Delaware Bay and Chesapeake Bay — Bombay Hook NWR holds thousands at peak winter. Distinguishable from the introduced mute swan by smaller size, straight neck (not S-curved), black bill (often with small yellow lores), and characteristic high-pitched whistling call.
Scientific
The tundra swan (Cygnus columbianus) is a medium-large native swan. Two subspecies — the whistling swan (C. c. columbianus) of North America, and the Bewick’s swan (C. c. bewickii) of Eurasia. Adults are entirely white; juveniles are dingy gray-brown.
Distinguishing features from the introduced [[mute-swan|mute swan]]:
- Bill — black with a small yellow patch (lores) at the base, vs. the [[mute-swan|mute swan]]‘s orange bill with black knob
- Neck — held straight in flight and at rest, vs. the [[mute-swan|mute swan]]‘s characteristic S-curve
- Voice — high-pitched whistling and yodeling calls; mute swans are largely silent
- Size — somewhat smaller than the [[mute-swan|mute swan]]
Breeding: Arctic tundra of northern Alaska and Canada, in low-density nests near tundra ponds. Wintering: East Coast estuaries (Atlantic population) and West Coast estuaries (Pacific population).
Delaware Bay wintering
The eastern (Atlantic) tundra swan population winters principally on the Chesapeake Bay and [[delaware-bay|Delaware Bay]]. [[bombay-hook-nwr|Bombay Hook NWR]] holds thousands at peak winter; tundra swans are visible from the refuge’s wildlife drive feeding in shallow marsh and freshwater impoundments.
Diet in winter: aquatic vegetation (especially submerged aquatic plants and roots), waste grain in fields, occasional invertebrates.
See also
Auto-generated from this entry’s typed relations: frontmatter, grouped by relation type so the editorial signal isn’t flattened.
- Member of: [[animal]]
- Contained by: [[delaware-bay]] · [[atlantic-flyway]]
- Contrasts with: [[mute-swan]]
Sources
- [[us-fish-and-wildlife-service|U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]] tundra swan species accounts
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Rooted in life.
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