Trumpeter Swan

Overview

Trumpeter Swan: Largest swan in the world, completely white but with head and neck often stained rust-brown from contact with ferrous minerals in wetland soils. Bill, legs, and feet are black. Feeds on aquatic plants. Strong direct flight on steady wing beats. Flies in straight line or V formation.

Range and Habitat

Trumpeter Swan: Nearly extirpated because of overharvest and widespread destruction and degradation of wetlands. Breeds in southern Alaska, northern British Columbia, western Alberta, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. Spends winters in southeastern Alaska, western British Columbia, and northwestern U.S. Preferred habitats include marshes, lakes, and rivers with dense vegetation.

INTERESTING FACTS

The Trumpeter Swan is the largest waterfowl species native to North America. By 1900, it was widely believed that the species had been hunted to extinction for its feathers, skin, meat and eggs. Fortunately, a small nonmigratory population survived in the remote mountain valleys of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. In the early 1950s, a large population of these birds were found in Alaska and today their population is estimated at close to 16,000. A group of swans has many collective nouns, including a "ballet", "bevy", "drift", "regatta", and "school" of swans.