Bird
Tundra Swan
Cygnus columbianusAlso known as Whistling Swan, Bewick's Swan
Tundra swans undertake high-latitude migrations each spring, traveling thousands of kilometers from coastal estuaries and farm fields to nest on low arctic tundra. Mated pairs form lifelong bonds and defend expansive marsh territories, bugling loudly to signal ownership across open wetlands. Cygnets grow rapidly during the brief polar summer, fledging just before freezing temperatures force winter flocks southward.
MigratoryWaterfowlArctic Breeder
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyPondweed, Eelgrass, Waste Grains
Predators
- Arctic Fox
- Golden Eagle
- Grey Wolf
ThreatsHabitat degradation, lead shot ingestion, extreme arctic weather
HabitatsTundra ponds, coastal estuaries, flooded agricultural fields
Life span10–20 years
Classification
- OrderAnseriformes
- FamilyAnatidae
- GenusCygnus
- SpeciesCygnus columbianus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Nesting or cornered swans will aggressively defend themselves with strong wing strikes and bites.
Responsible observation
- Observation Distance: Keep a generous distance, especially during winter roosting, to avoid causing energetically costly flight.
- Identification Key: Look for the small yellow patch in front of the eye on its black bill to distinguish it from the Trumpeter Swan.
- Vocalizations: Listen for high-pitched, bugle-like whistles in flight, which sound distinctly lighter than Canada Goose calls.
Competitor "Mute Swan" by CarolineG2011 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/. · cc-by-sa
Frequent Companion (c) Cricket Raspet, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Cricket Raspet · cc-by
Nest Predator Jonathen Pie https://unsplash.com/@r3dmax / CC0 · cc0
Close Relative Jakub Fryš / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
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