Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator

The Trumpeter Swan is known for its loud trumpeting call! It is one of the largest swans and has stunning white feathers.

Habitat: Wetlands and lakes

Appearance

The Trumpeter Swan is a majestic all-white bird, the largest waterfowl in North America. It has a long, straight black bill and distinctive black lore extending from the bill to the eye, differentiating it from similar species.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderAnseriformesFamilyAnatidaeGenusCygnus

Trumpeter Swan

Interesting facts

Baby swans are called cygnets and are born with fluffy gray down.

They mate for life, forming strong pairs that stay together year after year.

They use their strong feet to paddle and steer like rudders in the water.

Trumpeter Swans were once hunted almost to extinction, with fewer than 100 birds!

Special abilities

Trumpeter Swans can make loud, trumpet-like calls because of their long trachea, helping them communicate across vast distances.

Trumpeter Swans have long powerful necks that help them reach underwater plants up to 1.2 meters deep for food.

Trumpeter Swans can fly over 2,500 kilometers during migration because of their powerful wings, enduring harsh weather.

Measurements & details

Length: 138-180 cm
Wingspan: 185-250 cm
Weight: 7-14 kg
Lifespan: 10-20 years
Top Speed: 100 km/h
Clutch Size: 4-9
Incubation: 32-37 days
Migration Distance: 2500 km

Diet & Feeding

These magnificent birds primarily feast on submerged aquatic plants and tiny water creatures.

Age differences: Young cygnets eat more protein-rich aquatic insects to support rapid growth.

Primary Foods

Submerged aquatic plants
Seeds
Tubers
Leaves
Aquatic invertebrates

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eats

Bald Eagle

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Predates on eggs and young cygnets, especially during nesting.

eats

Coyote

Canis latrans

Can prey on cygnets or adults, especially during winter.

eaten by

Floating Pondweed

Potamogeton natans

An important food source, roots and stems are consumed.

eaten by

Broadleaf Cattail

Typha latifolia

Swans feed on roots and tubers of these wetland plants.

Traits

Wildlife

Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.

Feathered

Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.

Webbed Feet

Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming.

Social

Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.

Herbivorous

This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.