Bird · GBIF taxon 2498347
Whooper Swan
Cygnus cygnusAlso known as Whooper
Whooper swans are majestic waterfowl renowned for their loud, bugling calls that ring out across northern wetlands during spring migrations. Breeding pairs mate for life and jointly defend large breeding territories across Arctic tundra and taiga before flying south to winter on temperate lakes and agricultural fields. Their striking yellow-and-black bills easily set them apart from other white swans across Eurasia.
MigratoryWaterfowlMonogamous
Licensed referenceAndreas Trepte / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Aquatic Plants
- Roots and Tubers
- Grains and Grasses
Predators
- Red Fox
- White-tailed Eagle
- Gray Wolf
ThreatsHabitat degradation, lead poisoning, power line collisions
HabitatsTundra, boreal lakes, marshes, flooded fields, coastal estuaries
Life span10–25 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyAnatidae
- SpeciesCygnus cygnus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- May deliver strong wing-slaps or pecks if approached while nesting; keep a respectful distance.
- What to notice
- Look for a massive white swan with a large yellow wedge extending down the bill past the nostrils.
- Support conservation
- Maintain a distance of at least 100 meters from breeding sites and never flush resting winter flocks.
Responsible observation
- Observation Distance: Enjoy wintering flocks from at least 50 meters away using a spotting scope or binoculars.
- Breeding Etiquette: Avoid wetland edges during late spring when nesting pairs are highly sensitive to disturbance.
- No Feeding: Refrain from feeding bread or artificial food, which harms water quality and avian health.
Close Relative Jakub Fryš / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by Andy Wilson · cc0
Close Relative "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
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