Birds · Waterfowl
Trumpeter Swan
Cygnus buccinator
Least Concern
Swans are large waterfowl found across the Northern Hemisphere and Australia, recognized by their long necks and typically white or black plumage. They are known for forming strong, often lifelong pair bonds.
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Cygnus
Species: buccinator
Related species: Mute swan, tundra swan, black swan — genus Cygnus
Wingspan
Up to 8 feet — the largest wingspan of any North American bird.
Weight
21–30 lbs — the heaviest native waterfowl in North America.
Habitat
Lakes, rivers, and wetlands.
Description
All-white plumage, a long S-curved neck, and a black bill without the mute swan's orange base.
Diet
Herbivore — aquatic plants, plus some small invertebrates.
Voice
A loud, resonant honk that gives the species its name.
Flight
Powerful flier despite its size, requiring a long running takeoff across open water.
Pair Bonding
Typically mates for life; both parents share nest defense and raising cygnets.
Territoriality
Can be aggressively territorial when guarding a nesting site.
Clutch Size
Typically 4–6 eggs, incubated for about 32–37 days.
Sexually Mature
Around 3–4 years of age.
Life Span
10–20 years in the wild.
Did You Know?
Most swan species form pair bonds that can last a lifetime.
Did You Know?
A trumpeter swan's wingspan can reach nearly 8 feet, among the largest of any flying bird.
Did You Know?
Trumpeter swans were hunted nearly to extinction in North America by the early 1900s before conservation efforts helped them recover.
Types of Swans
Trumpeter Swan
Cygnus buccinator — largest North American waterfowl
Cygnus buccinator — largest North American waterfowl
Mute Swan
Cygnus olor — orange bill with a black knob
Cygnus olor — orange bill with a black knob
Tundra Swan
Cygnus columbianus — breeds across the Arctic tundra
Cygnus columbianus — breeds across the Arctic tundra
Whooper Swan
Cygnus cygnus — known for its loud, trumpeting call
Cygnus cygnus — known for its loud, trumpeting call
Black Swan
Cygnus atratus — native to Australia, entirely black plumage
Cygnus atratus — native to Australia, entirely black plumage
Swan in Foreign Languages
Frenchcygne
GermanSchwan
Italiancigno
Portuguesecisne
Spanishcisne
Russianlebed’
Polishłabędź
Japanesehakuchō
Mandarintiān'é
Koreanbaekjo
Dutchzwaan
Swedishsvan
Norwegiansvane
Finnishjoutsen
