Trumpeter Swan

There are two trumpeter swans at Medina Raptor Center named Isadora and Winton. Pictures coming soon!

About Trumpeter Swans
(Information taken from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology)

The largest of North American waterfowl, the Trumpeter Swan is resident throughout much of its range, but migratory in other parts. Its was reduced to near extinction by the early 20th century, but it is relatively common today.The largest of North American waterfowl, the Trumpeter Swan is resident throughout much of its range, but migratory in other parts. Its was reduced to near extinction by the early 20th century, but it is relatively common today.

Description

• Size: 138-158 cm (54-62 in)
• Wingspan: 203 cm (80 in)
• Weight: 7700-12700 g (271.81-448.31 ounces)
• Large, all-white waterfowl.
• Long, straight neck.
• Black bill and face.
• Wings pure white.
• Legs black.
• No yellow on bill.
• Pink along edge of bill.
• Head and neck may be stained rusty.
• Eyes black.
• Eye contained within black face.
• V-shaped indentation of white forehead into bill.

Sex Differences

• Sexes look alike; male slightly larger.

Immature

• Dirty white all over. Legs gray-pink, turning yellowish gray to dull black. Bill gray-black at base, pink towards tip; turns completely black.

Food

• Submerged and emergent aquatic vegetation, grasses, grains.

Range

Summer Range:

• Breeds locally from central Alaska to western South Dakota and northern Nebraska. Introduced farther eastward in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ontario. Resident in much of breeding range.

Winter Range:

• Winters locally from southern Alaska and western British Columbia southward to Oregon, Nevada, and Wyoming.

Habitat

• Breeds in freshwater marshes and along ponds and lakes. Winters in lakes, streams, springs, rivers, and reservoirs.

Behavior

Foraging:

• Tips up to reach submerged aquatic vegetation.

Reproduction

Nest Type:

• Nest a large open bowl, made of aquatic vegetation, grasses, and sedges, lined with down and some body feathers. Usually placed on slightly elevated sites surrounded by water, such as a muskrat mound, beaver lodge, or small island.

Egg Description:

• Creamy white.

Clutch Size:

• Usually 4-6 eggs. Range: 1-9.

Condition at Hatching:

• Covered with down and eyes open. Leaves nest within 24 hours of hatching and has the ability to swim and feed.

Conservation Status

• Original declines were the result of commercial trade in swan skins and excessive hunting. Populations generally increasing. Several states and provinces have programs to reintroduce Trumpeter Swans.

Sound

• Call a hollow, nasal honking. Wings make raspy noise in flight.

Our Other Educational Birds:

American Kestrel
Bald Eagle
Barred Owl
Great Blue Heron
Great Horned Owl
Peregrine Falcon
Red Tailed Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Rough Legged Hawk
Saw Whet Owl
Screech Owl
Trumpeter Swan
Turkey Vulture

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