Whooper Swan

Cygnus cygnus

Genus · True Swans Family · Ducks, Geese, and Swans
Observation tips Difficulty: EASY
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
FarmlandLake wetlands

Look for a swan with a long, straight neck and a yellow-and-black bill. In winter, they often feed in flooded fields.

Whooper Swan
Stats
Wingspan205–275 cm
Weight7400–14000 g
Length140–165 cm
Lifespan wild10–25 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typePlatform
Clutch size4–7 eggs
Incubation35–42 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationMigratory
Social BehaviourFlocking

Diet: Herbivore

🌾Grain
🌱Grass
🍃Plants

Habitat

🛶 Lake wetlands🌊 Marine🌾 Marsh🏞️ River
✦ Fun Fact

The yellow pattern on a Whooper Swan's bill is unique to each individual. Researchers use it to track birds over decades without using collars.

About

A large, powerful swan of the north and the national bird of Finland. It is a winter visitor to much of Europe from Iceland and Siberia. It is more slender than the Mute Swan with a straighter neck. It lacks the black knob on the bill. Instead, it has a striking wedge of yellow skin on the bill.

Behaviour

Whooper Swans are highly vocal. Their bugle-like 'whooping' calls can be heard from kilometres away. They are social birds and often travel in family groups. They graze on agricultural fields and aquatic plants. Their flight is powerful with a rhythmic swish of wings.

Similar species

Mute Swan
🐦
Mute Swan
Cygnus olor
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