Whooper Swan

The Whooper Swan, or Cygnus cygnus, is a majestic bird, often referred to as the common swan. It is a large swan of the northern hemisphere, akin to the North American Trumpeter Swan. With its striking presence, the Whooper Swan is a sight to behold, boasting a length of 140–165 centimeters and a wingspan that can reach up to 275 centimeters. Males are typically heavier than females, with some individuals weighing up to 15.5 kilograms, making them one of the heaviest flying birds.

Identification Tips

Distinguishable by its angular head shape and a bill pattern that predominantly features yellow over black, the Whooper Swan stands out from its relative, the Bewick's Swan, which has more black than yellow on its bill. Observing their bill pattern is key for identification, as well as their size, with the Whooper Swan being the larger of the two.

Habitat

Whooper Swans thrive in expansive water bodies, which are essential during their growth phase, as their legs cannot support their body weight for prolonged periods. They are often seen swimming and foraging in the water or consuming bottom-growing plants.

Distribution

These swans breed in the subarctic Eurosiberia and are less commonly found breeding in northern Scotland and Ireland. They are migratory birds, traveling great distances to wintering grounds in southern Europe and eastern Asia. Occasionally, they may appear as vagrants in the Indian Subcontinent and western North America.

Behaviour

Whooper Swans are known for their deep, honking calls and are surprisingly agile fliers despite their size. They are social birds, often seen in family groups, and are known to pair for life. Their cygnets remain with them throughout the winter, and sometimes, offspring from previous years may join them. They exhibit a variety of signaling movements, such as head bobs and wing flaps, to communicate within the flock, especially before taking flight.

Song & Calls

The vocalizations of the Whooper Swan are resonant and lower-pitched than those of the Bewick's Swan, typically heard as a "kloo-kloo-kloo" in groups of three or four.

Breeding

Whooper Swans are monogamous and share the responsibility of nest building near water. Both parents participate in incubating the eggs, which usually number between 4 and 7. The cygnets hatch with grey or brown plumage and are ready to fly at around 120 to 150 days of age.

Similar Species

The Bewick's Swan is the most similar species, but it can be differentiated by its smaller size and the color pattern on its bill, which has more black than yellow.

Diet and Feeding

These swans are herbivorous, feeding on aquatic vegetation and plants found at the bottom of their watery habitats. They are often observed straining the water for food.

Conservation Status

The Whooper Swan is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of population decline.

In the words of the Whooper Swan itself, one might say that life is a journey over vast distances, a symphony of calls that resonate across the skies, and a testament to the enduring bonds of family and fidelity.