Birds · Anseriformes · Anatidae

Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The largest swan species in the world, with a wingspan of some 3 m. Entirely white plumage in adults, with no colour difference between the sexes. It is told from the other white swans by its completely black bill, with no yellow or orange at all, as well as by its size.

Weight

9.4 kg – 12.5 kg

Diet

Herbivore

Feeds mainly on plants.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

In pairs

Usually lives in pairs, sometimes for life.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

Estimated population

Only two main populations remain: the Pacific one, which breeds in Alaska and British Columbia, and the continental one, which nests in Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan and Greater Yellowstone

Herbivore Diurnal In pairs Bird

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Fun facts

Overhunting destroyed its traditional southward migration routes, and today almost the whole continental population winters in Greater Yellowstone regardless of where it breeds in summer.
It has been translocated from the Red Rock Lakes refuge in Montana to other national refuges to restore its historic distribution.
It has no recognised subspecies.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (bird)
Habitat & environment: Wetlands, lakes and rivers of subarctic North America. Pairs nest alone, well away from one another
Sexual maturity: 2 years
Gestation / incubation: 35 days
Litter / clutch size: 5

Sources consulted: IUCN Red List; Wikipedia (Cygnus buccinator); Tesky 1993, Fire Effects Information System (USDA Forest Service); Richardson 1831