Description

Whistling Swan (Tundra Swan)

The Whistling Swan, along with the Bewick’s Swan, is commonly classified as a Tundra Swan. Despite its name, the Whistling Swan does not whistle vocally. Instead, it produces a distinctive high-pitched whistling sound from its wings during flight, which is how it earned its name.

Size

A typical adult Whistling Swan measures 115–150 cm (45–59 inches) in length, making it a large and powerful waterfowl species.

Diet

Whistling Swans are primarily herbivorous. Their diet consists mainly of:

• Aquatic plants

• Leaves, roots, and stems

• Grasses and grains

They will also occasionally consume animal matter, including aquatic insects, larvae, and freshwater molluscs.

Habitat & Range

Whistling Swans inhabit lakes, marshes, and estuaries, particularly within the Arctic tundra regions of coastal Alaska and northern Canada during the breeding season.

In winter, they migrate south:

• Along the Pacific Coast to mid-California

• Along the Atlantic Coast from Maryland to South Carolina

• Across the Great Lakes region

Breeding

Breeding typically begins in mid-May, with nesting occurring in coastal tundra environments.

Eggs

A clutch usually consists of 5–6 eggs, which are creamy white in colour.