Trumpeter Swan < Back Description: The Trumpeter Swan is the largest waterfowl species native to North America. Most Trumpeters weigh 21-30 pounds, although large males may exceed 35 pounds. The male is called a cob; the female is called a pen. With a wingspan over 7 feet, these snow-white birds are truly spectacular. Standing on the ground, an adult Trumpeter stands about 4 feet high. Trumpeter Swans belong to the avian Order Anseriformes, Family Anatidae, along with ducks and geese. Trumpeters have broad, flat bills with fine tooth-like serrations along the edges that strain water when the birds eat aquatic vegetation. Their long necks allow them to uproot plants in 4 feet of water. Trumpeters are often confused with the far more common Tundra Swan (formerly Whistling Swan, Cygnus columbianus), the only other native swan that occurs regularly in North America. Tundra Swans can be seen in the upper Midwest during spring and fall migration. Observers have described the Trumpeter's call as resonant, deep and loud, sonorous, and trumpet-like. Hence the bird's name: Trumpeter Swan.

The Tundra Swan has a high-pitched, quavering call resembling that of a Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) or Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens). From a distance the calls of a flock of Tundra Swans may be likened to the sound of a pack of baying hounds or distant 'whoops' and 'hollers.' Becoming familiar with these calls will aid identification. The Tundra Swan has a 6 to 7-foot wingspan, weighs 13-20 pounds, and stands about 3 feet tall. Both species are white with a black bill. A swan in its first year is called a juvenile or cygnet. Juvenile Trumpeter and Tundra Swans are grayish. Tundra cygnets are more silver gray than the darker Trumpeter cygnets, which are sooty gray in the head and neck areas. Swan cygnets do not become all white until about a year old. In their first summer, Trumpeter and Tundra Swan cygnets have pink bills with black tips. The bills turn all black during the first winter. One notable difference between these two species is the head and bill profile.

The Tundra's bill is slightly dish-shaped or concave and is smaller in proportion to its smoothly rounded head. The bill of the Trumpeter appears heavy and somewhat wedge-shaped in proportion to its large angular head, similar to the head profile of a Canvasback duck. Other field characteristics of the Tundra Swan include a distinct yellow spot in front of the eye on about 80 percent of the birds. In contrast, the Trumpeter Swan has a red border or stripe, like lipstick, on the edge of its lower mandible. This red border, however, may sometimes appear on a Tundra Swan's bill, and some Trumpeters may have a yellow mark in front of the eye. The best way to distinguish the two species is by their calls. A third swan species is not native to the Midwest. The Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) is found commonly along the East Coast and is present in parts of the Midwest. The Mute Swan is a Eurasian bird first introduced by European immigrants. This is the swan that typically is featured in art work and folklore. Mute Swans are an undesirable exotic species that harass native waterfowl and uproot large quantities of aquatic vegetation.

Almost all North American breeding populations of Mute Swans were established by the escape or accidental release of captive birds. Close to a Trumpeter in size, the Mute Swan is easily distinguished from other swans by its orange bill and prominent black fleshy knob extending from the base of the bill to the forehead. Mute Swan cygnets have two distinct color phases: the royal phase (brownish) or the Polish phase (white). Unlike Trumpeter and Tundra Swan cygnets, the Mute cygnet has either a dark bill (royal phase) or pinkish bill (Polish phase) during its first summer; the bill turns orange during the first year. Mute Swans typically hold their necks in an S-curve with the bill pointed downward. Though described as silent, Mutes actually utter a variety of call notes, including grunts and snorts. Trumpeter Swans, although protected from hunting throughout their range, are also sometimes mistaken for Snow Geese, which can be hunted. The Snow Goose, however, is significantly smaller, with a wingspan of only about 3 feet and with black wing tips (all ages).

Tundra Swans are hunted in North Carolina, Virginia, North Dakota, Montana, Nevada, and Utah. Status and Distribution Trumpeter Swans were once fairly common throughout most of the northern United States and Canada. Market hunting and the millinery trade rapidly depleted nesting populations during the 19th century. Swan skins were sold in the fur trade to Europe where they were used to make ladies' powder puffs and feathers were used to adorn fashionable hats. Trumpeters nested in Minnesota and Wisconsin until the 1880s. In Minnesota, the species occurred in the prairie and parkland areas of western, central, and northern portions of the state. In Wisconsin, Trumpeters may have nested in all but the northeastern forested regions, most likely in large marshes or shallow lakes. Elsewhere in the Midwest, the Trumpeters' historic breeding range reached from western Nebraska to central Michigan. It extended as far north and east as James Bayin Canada. Breeding Biology Trumpeter Swans may form pair bonds as early as their second winter and some may nest for the first time at age three years. Most Trumpeters, however, don't nest until they are four to six years old.

Trumpeter Swans mate for life and may live for 20 to 30 years. If one member of a pair dies, the survivor finds another mate. A cob usually replaces its lost mate with a younger pen and returns to the former nesting territory. When a pen remates, it also returns to its former nesting territory. As in other waterfowl species, remating and returning to a former nesting territory is more likely if the returning member of a pair was previously successful at raising young on that territory. Swans usually form pair bonds where they spend the winter. Pairs may select a nesting area near where the pen hatched. The pen chooses the specific nesting area and the cob defends it, sometimes joined by the pen. If a pair spends at least two summers at the same nesting location, it will form an almost unbreakable attachment to the site. A Trumpeter pair typically arrives on the breeding grounds soon after ice melt in early spring. For the first few weeks after arrival the pair engages in courtship behavior, bobbing their heads and quivering their wings while facing each other. A newly formed pair usually does not build a nest during their first spring and summer together.

Trumpeter Swan nesting territories range from 6 to 150 acres in size. Large, shallow wetlands 1-3 feet deep with a diverse mix of emergent vegetation and open water offer ideal habitat. Such locations support a rich variety of submergent (underwater) plants used for food, such as sago pondweed and water milfoil. These are preferred by Trumpeters, along with such emergent plants as arrowhead, burreed, bulrush, sedges, and wild rice. Nest-building begins in mid-April and may take up to two weeks. The nests may reach a diameter of 6 feet or more. Trumpeters build their nests on top of muskrat or beaver lodges, or they pile sedges and cattail tubers into a mound. The cob uproots the vegetation and transfers it to the pen, who piles it high, then uses her body to form a depression for the eggs. The same nest structure may be used from one year to the next. Usually, water surrounds the nest making it difficult for a mammalian predator to surprise the pair.

Beginning in late April to early May, the pen lays one off-white egg about 4 1/2 inches long and 3 inches wide every other day until a clutch of five to nine eggs is complete. If it is the pen's first clutch, fewer eggs may be laid and they may be infertile. Once all eggs have been laid, the pen incubates the eggs and the cob protects the nest against all intruders. During the incubation period, which lasts about 33-34 days, the pen occasionally leaves the nest to feed, bathe, and preen her feathers. Preening is vital to maintaining the bird's plumage. When preening, a Trumpeter presses its bill against the base of the tail to extract a greasy fluid from an oil gland. This is used to recondition, clean, and waterproof the feathers. When the pen leaves the nest, she covers the eggs with nest material. The cob, meanwhile, stands guard on or near the, nest to deter predators. Intruding swans or predators are vigorously chased away. The adults perform a "triumph display" after intruders are repelled. Facing one another, they quiver their wings and trumpet loudly.

When the cygnets hatch in June, they weigh about 7 ounces. After a day or two, they take to the water to feed on insects and other aquatic invertebrates. For the first several weeks, a cygnet may concentrate on this protein-rich food source to support its rapid growth. At early stages cygnets may gain 20% of their body weight every day. By the time the cygnets are four to six weeks old they are feeding on aquatic vegetation, using their bills to uproot plants as their parents do. About this time the adult pair begins their annual molt. Flight feathers on the wings and tail are shed and replaced. The pen usually molts first, two to three weeks after egg-hatching. The cob's molt follows after the pen has regrown her flight feathers. The molting period lasts about 30 days. Because even an adult is vulnerable to predators during this flightless period, the swans may seek shelter in tall emergent vegetation. Since the molt is staggered, at least one adult is always capable of flight and defending the cygnets. The cygnets grow rapidly.

Scapular, tail, and flank feathers begin to replace gray down when the cygnets are four weeks old. At six weeks, the belly, breast, and cheek are fully feathered. By seven weeks, cygnets have most neck and crown feathers. Cygnets have little down left at eight weeks and are fully feathered by nine to ten weeks though they are unable to fly until about 15 weeks of age. At 15 weeks the cygnets weigh about 20 pounds. Their growth rate exceeds a pound a week! The first flights in late September are typically short. Daily practice prepares the cygnets to migrate with their parents just before freeze-up to wintering areas where ice-free streams and ponds allow subadults and unmated adults to mingle. Family groups and mated pairs keep to themselves. Parents and their cygnets return year after year to the same winter feeding sites. The quality and quantity of winter foods influences productivity during the next breeding season. Cygnets will remain with their parents during winter and migrate north with them. Then the parents drive them away. By this time the cygnets are about one year old.

They remain together in sibling groups until about two years of age when they, too, begin to seek mates and a new life in a remote marsh. Trumpeter Swan Questions and Answers Mountain-Prairie Region Trumpeter Swan What does a trumpeter swan look like and how can you tell the difference between on and a tundra swan? Trumpeter swans are the largest native waterfowl species in North America. Tundra swans are nearly as large as trumpeters, and both have white feathers and black bills. Some, but not all, tundras have a yellow spot at the base of the bill near the eye. Trumpeters never have a yellow spot. These slight differences make accurate identification difficult in the wild. The two can be distinguished more readily by the differences in the sound of their calls. How many trumpeter swans are there today? Trumpeter swans occur in the wild only in North America. The most recent range-wide survey of trumpeters occurred in 2000, and counted nearly 24,000 birds. In contrast, the first year of the survey (1968) biologists counted only about 4,000 birds.

From 1968 to 2000, trumpeters increased in abundance by about 6% per year. During the same time period, the Rocky Mountain Population of trumpeter swans, which primarily inhabits areas in and near the Rocky Mountains of the U.S. and Canada, increased from about 800 birds to more than 3,600 birds, at a rate of about 5% per year. What is the tri-state flock and where is it located? The birds in this flock inhabit areas of the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem, which includes Yellowstone National Park and adjacent area in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. Why is the tri-state flock not considered a distinct population segment? Historically, trumpeter swans ranged throughout much of Canada and the U.S. There is no evidence that the birds in the tri-state flock have been isolated from other groups of swans for a sufficient period of time for adaptations to occur and make this group a discrete and significant population. Current genetic information does not provide evidence that the birds in the tri-state area are genetically different from trumpeter swans in western Canada. Morphology and behaviors of the two groups also are similar.

The tri-state flock has historic and sociological importance; but the flock is not significant from an evolutionary standpoint, and that must be a criterion used to deemed distinct population segment. Are there a lot fewer birds in the tri-state area than there were historically? Migratory birds generally were not monitored prior to the early 1900s. We don’t know how many birds inhabited the tri-state area before then. In the early 1930s only about 70 birds were counted in the area, compared to between 300 and 400 now. Many birds from the tri-state area also were relocated to other areas in attempts to establish new breeding flocks. What are the major concerns about the status of tri-state birds? Although the number of swans nesting in the tri-state region has increased since the early 1900s, their numbers are relatively low. These birds, together with swans from western Canada and relocated swans in Oregon and Nevada, are part of a larger group of trumpeter swans known as the Rocky Mountain Population, which numbers more than 3,600 birds.

Most of these birds winter in the tri-state area, and some people fear that such a large concentration of birds could result in many birds dying due to inclement weather, insufficient natural foods, or disease. However, increased mortality that was believed to be caused by severe winter weather has only occurred once. For years biologists have tried to establish additional wintering areas to reduce the pressure on the tri-state area, but success has been limited. Have trumpeter swans ever been listed as a threatened or endangered species? No. In the early 1900s, only about 70 birds wee known to exist in and around Yellowstone National Park. The advent of aerial surveys helped biologists locate many more swans, particularly in remote areas of western Canada and Alaska. Although the species has never been listed in the United States, it was briefly listed as vulnerable in Canada. However, based upon a recent review of trumpeter swan status in Canada, the Canadian Federal government has decided they are not at risk of extinction. Is there any indication that there is interaction between the swans from Canada and those in the tri-state area? Yes. Although the two flocks do not nest near each other, they winter together primarily in the tri-state area.

Limited marking studies have resulted in one observation of a mixed group (Canadian/tri-state) pairing. Additionally, two birds from the tri-state flock were sighted in Alberta, Canada, and two birds marked in Alberta were observed during summer in the tri-state area. These results suggest some reproductive intermingling of the two flocks may be occurring. Is there a hunting season specifically designated for trumpeter swan? No. Swan hunting seasons are designed to target tundra swans, which are much more numerous that trumpeter swans. As mentioned above, the two swan species are very difficult to differentiate in the field. To monitor and limit accidental deaths of trumpeter swans due to misidentification by hunters, limits of 10 trumpeter swans in Utah and five in Nevada are allowed during permit-only hunts in those states. All hunters that shoot a swan must take it to a check station to have it identified. If a limit is reached, all swan hunting is closed immediately in that state. This assures that the accidental harvest of trumpeter swans remains small. How many trumpeters swans were killed in the Utah and Nevada hunts in the last few years?

Since 1994, only one trumpeter swan has been detected in the swan harvests in Nevada. In most years in Utah, between zero and three swans per year have been encountered at check stations, where hunters must take their swan to be identified. In one year (1997), seven trumpeters were shot in Utah. However, six of those birds were translocated from Idaho into the hunt area during the hunting season as part of a research program. The birds shot by hunters are from both the tri-state flock and the Canada flock, which has about 4,000 birds. What is being done to improve the status of tri-state swans? For several decades the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has joined with State agencies, Native American Tribes, non-governmental organizations, and private individuals to conduct many programs to improve the status of swans in the tri-state area. Although success has been limited, we have used tri-state birds to establish new breeding flocks of trumpeter swans in Nevada, Oregon, Wyoming, and South Dakota. Partners in the tri-state area and elsewhere have improved habitat for nesting and wintering swans.

Management actions have resulted in a lower proportion of swans inhabiting core wintering areas where densities were very high. Although the number of birds in Montana has decreased, abundances in Idaho and Wyoming generally have increased over the last decade. Today, we have many more birds nesting in the tri-state area than in the 1930s. The Service remains committed to work with its partners on conservation efforts for trumpeter swans in the Rocky Mountain population, which includes birds in the tri-state area. Last updated: September 26, 2008 Trumpeter - definition of trumpeter by The Free Dictionary Trumpeter - definition of trumpeter by The Free Dictionary Related to trumpeter: trumpeter swan trum·pet·er 1. Music One who plays the trumpet. 2. One who announces something, as a herald. 3. Any of several mostly ground-dwelling birds of the genus Psophia of tropical South America, having a loud resonant call. 4. The trumpeter swan. 5. Any of several breeds of domestic pigeon having a shell-shaped crest, heavily feathered feet, and a loud call. trumpeter (ˈtrʌmpɪtə) n 1.

(Music, other) a person who plays the trumpet, esp one whose duty it is to play fanfares, signals, etc 2. (Animals) any of three birds of the genus Psophia of the forests of South America, having a rounded body, long legs, and a glossy blackish plumage: family Psophiidae, order Gruiformes (cranes, rails, etc) 3. (Breeds) (sometimes capital) a breed of domestic fancy pigeon with a long ruff trum•pet•er 1. a person who plays a trumpet. 2. a soldier who sounds calls on a trumpet. 3. any of several large South American birds of the family Psophiidae, related to the cranes, having a loud cry. bugler - someone who plays a bugle instrumentalist , musician , player - someone who plays a musical instrument (as a profession) 2. trumpeter - (formal) a person who announces important news; "the chieftain had a herald who announced his arrival with a trumpet" formality - compliance with formal rules; "courtroom formality" courier , messenger - a person who carries a message 3.

trumpeter - large gregarious crane-like bird of the forests of South America having glossy black plumage and a loud prolonged cry; easily domesticated wader , wading bird - any of many long-legged birds that wade in water in search of food genus Psophia , Psophia - type genus of the Psophiidae: trumpeters Brazilian trumpeter , Psophia crepitans - trumpeter of Brazil and Guiana; often kept to protect poultry in Brazil 4. genus Cygnus , Cygnus - a genus of Anatidae Translations [ˈtrʌmpɪtəʳ] N (orchestral) → trompetero m, trompeta mf; (jazz) → trompetista mf trumpeter [ˈtrʌmpɪtər] n → trompettiste mftrumpet player n → trompettiste mf trumpeter [ˈtrʌmpɪtəʳ] n → suonatore m di tromba (Mil) → trombettiere m trumpet (ˈtrampit) noun 1. a brass musical wind instrument with a high, clear tone. He plays the trumpet; He played a tune on his trumpet.

trompet بوق: لآلة موسيقيَّه тромпет trompete trubka die Trompete trompet τρομπέτα trompeta trompet ترومپت trumpetti trompette חצוצרה तुरही truba trombita terompet trompet tromba トランペット 트럼펫 trimitas trompete trompet trompet trompet trąbka ترومپټ trompete trom­­petă труба trúbka trobenta truba trumpet แตร trompet 小號 сурма, труба شہنائي kèn trompet 小号 2. the cry of an elephant. The elephant gave a loud trumpet.

trompetter صَرْخَة الفيل рев barrido troubení der Trompetenstoß trompetlyd; trompetstød κραυγή ελέφαντα barrito pasundamine نعرۀ فیل toitotus barrissement תּרוּעַת הַפִּיל चिंघाड़ trubljenje trombitálás lengkingan gajah fílsöskur barrito 象の鳴き声 코끼리 울음소리 riaumojimas (ziloņa) taurēšana deruman trompetschreeuw trompetstøt trąbienie د فیل غږ barrido ţipăt de elefant рёв слона trúbenie trobljenje trubljenje trumpetande เสียงเหมือนแตร fil sesi （大象的）吼叫聲 ревіння слона ہاتھي کي آواز tiếng voi rống （大象的）吼叫声 verb to play the trumpet.

trompetter يُبَوِّق، يَنْفُخ في البوق тръбя fazer barulho troubit trompeten trompetere σαλπίζω trompetear, tocar la trompeta; barritar pasundama صدای ترومپت درآوردن soittaa trumpettia trompeter לְהַשמִיעַ תְּרוּעָה तुरही बजाना trubiti trombitál melengking gjalla suonare la tromba ; barrire トランペットのような音を出す 트럼펫을 불다 trimituoti taurēt menderum trompet spelen trompetere , gjalle trąbić د ترومپټ غږ ایستل fazer barulho a trâm­biţa трубить trúbiť trobiti trubiti trumpeta แผดเสียงเหมือนแตร trompet çalmak 吹號似地嘈雜聲 сурмити, трубити, ревти شہنائي کي سي

 آواز نکالنا thổi kèn trompet 吹号似地嘈杂声 ˈtrumpeter nun a person who plays the trumpet.

trompetspeler بوّاق، نافِخ في البوق тромпетист trompetista trubač der Trompeter trumpetist σαλπιγκτής trompetista trompetist ترومپت نواز trumpetisti trompettiste נַגָן חֲצוֹצרָה तुरही बजाने वाला trubač trombitás peniup terompet trombettista トランペット 트럼펫 취주자 trimitininkas trompetists peniup trompet trompettist trompetspiller , trompetist trębacz ترومپټ غږونکی trompetista trompetist трубач trubač trobentač trubač trumpetare คนเป่าแตร trompetçi 喇叭手 трубач, сурмач بگل بجانے والا người thổi kèn trompet 喇叭手 blow one's own trumpet to boast, praise oneself greatly etc.

met jouself spog يَتفاخَر، يَتباهى надувам се gabar-se vychloubat se sein eigenes Lob singen prale; rose sig selv περιαυτολογώ , κομπάζω darse bombo, tirarse flores kiitlema از خود تعریف کردن leuhkia se vanter לְנַגָן בַּחֲצוֹצרָה अपने मुंह मिंया मिट्ठू बनना rastrubiti, razglasiti önmaga dícséretét zengi membual grobba sig vantarsi 自慢する 자화자찬하다 girtis lielīties; dižoties masuk bakul angkat sendiri zijn eigen lof zingen skryte av seg selv przechwalać się له ځان نه تعریف کول gabar-se a se lăuda хвалиться vychvaľovať sa hvaliti se hvaliti se

 slå på trumman för sig själv คุยโว övünmek 自吹自擂 хвалитися, займатися саморекламою خود ستائي کرنا tự cao tự đại 自吹自擂 Trumpeter Swan, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology © Bill Thompson , Warwick, Rhode Island, October 2012 Similar Species Tundra Swans are much more numerous and widespread than Trumpeter Swans.

Tundra Swans are smaller and their bills usually show a yellow spot at the bill base. The border between the bill and the white feathers of the head has a different shape in the two species: Tundra has an uneven line between mouth and eye, and a rounded margin between the top of the bill and the forehead. Mute Swans have a black knob at the base of their orange bill, and they typically hold their necks in a graceful S-curve, not straight as in Trumpeter Swan. Snow Geese are much smaller, with shorter necks, mostly pink bills, and black wingtips that are prominent in flight and usually also visible when the wings are folded. Mute Swan Find This Bird Look for these enormous swans on relatively shallow water or in agricultural fields. They’ll be straighter-necked than Mute Swans (and more likely to be in wild habitats rather than city ponds); and they’ll be considerably larger than the similar Tundra Swan. Trumpeter Swans have expanded their range in recent years as they continue their comeback from near-extinction.

In fact, the species now nests across a broad swath of the Midwest/Great Lakes and in scattered portions of the Northern Rockies—meaning that in summer you’re more likely to find this species than the much more numerous Tundra Swan. Look for them in shallow ponds, lakes, rivers, and marshes. During migration and winter, you may also find Trumpeter Swans feeding in harvested agricultural fields. Swan Species Swan Species THE SEVEN SPECIES OF SWANS Mute Swans originated in Europe and Asia and are the most common captive swans found on lakes and ponds in private settings such as resorts, zoos, parks and estates. Mute Swans are not really mute. They are less vocal than other species of swans due to the anatomy of their trachea, which goes straight into the lungs instead of being embedded in the sternum. The English Mute and the Polish Mute Swans look very similar. The difference is in the coloring of their bills and feet. The English Mute have reddish orange bills and jet black feet. The Polish Mute is a pure white version of the Mute Swan. They have bright orange bills and light buff-colored/ grayish colored feet.

Mute Swans produce a clutch of young once a year. Mute Swans typically have between 5-10 eggs and typical brood sizes are from 1-9 cygnets. Incubation is between 30-40 days. Captive male Mute Swans typically weigh between 24-30 pounds with the females weighing approximately 17-23 pounds. Mute Swans’ wingspans average 78 inches. Australian Black Swans Australian Black Swans originated in the Botany Bay and Perth areas of Australia . The black swans are typically more aggressive than other swan species especially during mating and nesting seasons. This species is highly aggressive and will actively seek out predators or intruders. The Black Swan is black in color with white tips on its wings. The bird’s red bill has a pale band at the tip. The male black swan’s red eyes will turn white during mating season. Captive male Black Swans typically weigh between 13-14 pounds with the females weighing approximately 11-12 pounds. Black Swans’ wingspans average 77 inches. Black Swans typically have between 1-9 eggs.

Typical brood sizes are 1-5 cygnets. Incubation is approximately 36 days. Black Swans produce two clutches of young a year. The Whooper Swan is the national bird of Finland . This Old World swan is a very rare visitor to Alaska and Korea . The Whooper Swan is a white swan with a yellow bill. Average wingspan is 72 inches. Nesting begins as soon as the ice melts in early March or April. Nests are built on small islets surrounded by water. Clutch size for a Whooper Swan is about 4-6 white-colored eggs. Incubation lasts about 34-36 days. Whooper Swans are social birds that are extremely noisy. Whoopers like cold weather but have been successfully raised and bred in the hot, humid climate of the southeastern United States. North American Trumpeter Swans The Trumpeter Swan is indigenous to North America. The Trumpeter is know for its unique “trumpeting” call. The bird is pure white with a jet-black bill with a red border on the lower mandible. Average wingspan is 70-84 inches.

These birds are the largest waterfowl in the United States and the largest swan species. Males can weigh up to 35 pounds. Nesting begins in late March through early May. The pen will lay from 3-9 eggs. Incubation is done only by the pen and lasts for about 33-35 days. North American Tundra Swans The Tundra Swan has been called the “American or Whistling” Swan and is indigenous to North America. It gets its name from the “whistling” sound made by the slow, powerful beating of its wings in flight. The Tundra Swan has a black bill with a yellow lore below the eye. Like the Trumpeter, the Tundra Swan may have a red lower mandible. Tundras can be distinguished from Trumpeter Swans by their higher pitched, more soft, and melodious calls. The Tundra Swan is a much smaller bird. Average wingspan is 62 inches with a body length of 45 inches. Nesting begins in late May or early June. Clutch size is about 4-6 eggs and the egss are cream-colored.

Only the pen incubates the eggs and the incubation lasts about 32 days. These swans like cold weather and live on the tundra in North American, hence their name. However, this species has been successfully raised and bred in the hot, humid climate of the southeastern United States. Bewick Swans: (Eurasian Sub-species of the North American Tundra Swans) The Eurasian sub-species of the Tundra Swans, the Bewick Swans, are found in Russia and migrate to parts of Japan. The Bewick Swan is a close relative to the Tundra Swan and has not been recognized as a separate, distinct species of swans. This swan has a higher, straighter, yellow and black bill, which is more angular near the base and has a longer yellow patch . The pattern of black and yellow bills of the Bewick and Whooper Swans’ are unique to each bird and can be easily misidentified. Average body length is 48 inches long with a 64 inch wingspan. The Bewick usually has a clutch of 3-4, off-white colored eggs. The clutch size is the smallest of all swan species. Incubation lasts about 30 days.

South American Black-Necked Swans The South American Black-Necked Swan is the most delicate of the swan species and the most expensive. These birds must be protected from extreme cold climates. The plumage on this species feature a white body and wings with a black neck and very distinctive and noticeable pink-colored feet. The birds have a gray bill with a bright red lobe on the base of the bill. The legs of this species are set farther back than other swan species, which makes exiting the water for these birds rather difficult. For this reason, these swans stay in the water for greater periods of time and prefer larger bodies of water for their food supply. In the United States, the Black-Necked Swans can begin laying eggs in late January, so care must be taken that cold weather does not freeze the eggs. Nests are built in thick vegetation near the water. Their breeding season begins in July and can extend through November. This species of swans does not like other swans around during breeding season. Otherwise, they are socially compatible with other waterfowl. Clutch sizes range from 3 to 7 eggs and are incubated by only the pen for about 36 days.

Black-Necks also have a greater propensity to carry their young on their back than other swans. South American Coscoroba Swans The Coscoroba Swan looks like a small goose or duck. The birds have pure white feathers with a coral-colored beak and coral-colored legs. Average wing span is 37 inches with a body length of 35 inches. The Coscoroba Swan species is now a protected species under the Washington Convention and in the Chilean Red Book. Nesting occurs in the late spring. Average clutch size is 4-7 eggs. Incubation of the eggs is done by the pen and lasts about 35 days. Rain seems to be an important factor determining clutch sizes. BioKIDS - Kids' Inquiry of Diverse Species, Cygnus buccinator, trumpeter swan: INFORMATION Skip directly to main content . Kids' Inquiry of Diverse Species Cygnus buccinator What do they look like? As the largest North American swans, these birds can weigh up to 13.5 kg and measure approximately 1.6 m in length. Wingspan can often exceed 2 m.

When they are young "cygnets", the bill is mostly pink but is always black at the base. The feet and ankles may be a grayish-yellow. The body is light to dark gray, and will gradually whiten with age. At age two, most of their feathers have turned white, except for a few on the upper portion of the body. Adult trumpeter swans have black bills, feet and legs. They have pink to red mouths which can be seen as a small pink or red line (a 'grin') on the bill. Their feathers are completely white. There is also a small number of trumpeter swans that have a gray-white tint for feather color instead of pure white. They appear very similar to tundra swans , with the most reliable differences found near the beak. Viewed face-forward or top-down, trumpeter swans have an angular, v-shaped forehead at the base of the beak. Tundra swans have a curved or straight forehead. Most tundra swans have a yellow-white 'teardrop' on their black beak, however this is not always a reliable feature.

( Slater, 2006 ) Other Physical Features 6.56 to 7.87 ft Where do they live? Trumpeter swans are found scattered across North America, mainly in Alaska, Canada, and the northern United States. A large percentage is found in Alaska, specifically in Prince William Sound and the Copper River Delta. Some trumpeter swans have even taken up residence in Yellowstone Park, Wyoming. Some trumpeter swans migrate to Michigan during the spring to breed and raise their young during the summer. ( Grant and Henson, 1994 ; Henson and Cooper, 1993 ; Mills, 1991 ; Schmidt, et al., 2009 ; Squires and Anderson, 1997 ; Squires, 1995 ) Biogeographic Regions native What kind of habitat do they need? Trumpeter swans live on land but always near water. They are found in wetlands with open water and areas with many rivers or streams. Waters can be salt water, fresh water, or brackish water. Their climate ranges from temperate to polar. Reasons for their choice of environment have to do with their diet and nesting habits.

Trumpeter swans feeds off many plants native to wet habitats. They are also known for laying their eggs near or on the water. They seek out the same habitat type for wintering grounds. ( Grant and Henson, 1994 ; Henson and Cooper, 1993 ; Mills, 1991 ; Proffitt, 2009 ; Schmidt, et al., 2009 ; Squires and Anderson, 1997 ; Squires, 1995 ) These animals are found in the following types of habitat estuarine How do they reproduce? Trumpeter swans are monogamous, meaning one male and one female pair together to breed. Like many swan species, trumpeter swans keep the same partners throughout their entire lives. During mating season, trumpeter swans reunite with their former mates or begin courtship displays to find a mate. Courtship displays consist of pairs spreading or raising wings, wing quivering, head bobbing and trumpeting together. ( Slater, 2006 ) Mating System monogamous Adults begin mating at 4 to 7 years old. Mating usually occurs every year, from March to May.

After swans are reunited with their mates, both will begin to build a nest that will take 2 to 5 weeks to complete. Nests are built on the ground or mounds of vegetation surrounded by water. The nests range from 1.2 to 3.6 m in diameter and are built with aquatic plants, grasses, and sedges. Females lay 4 to 6 eggs, and will keep the eggs warm for 32 to 37 days until the eggs hatch. Baby swans are called "cygnets." The young cygnets spend their first 24 hours in the nest, then begin to swim. They fledge (are able to fly and leave the nest) after 91 to 119 days but will stay near their parents until they are about a year old. ( Slater, 2006 ) Key Reproductive Features How often does reproduction occur? Trumpeter swans breed once yearly. Breeding season Trumpeter swans breed from March to May.

Range eggs per season Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female) 4 to 7 years Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male) 4 to 7 years Both parents participate in nest building which lasts 2 to 5 weeks. The female will perform most of the egg incubation until the young hatch. Unlike most birds, trumpeter swans do not cover the eggs with their stomachs, but instead use their feet to keep the eggs warm. The young are born precocial, meaning they have downy feathers and eyes are almost open. Cygnets are ready to leave the nest within a few days of hatching, but will remain with their parents who care for them through their first year. ( Slater, 2006 ) Parental Investment extended period of juvenile learning How long do they live? The oldest captive trumpeter swan on record was 33 years old. In the wild, the oldest known individual was 24. ( Krementz, et al., 1997 ; Slater, 2006 ) Range lifespan 33 (high) years How do they behave? Trumpeter swans live in small flocks, often with members of their own family.

Their daily routine varies from season to season. In winter they rest more and eat less, while in spring they consume large amounts of food and are very active during the day. Flock size also varies seasonally. In spring, flock size can be almost half than found in the fall because the young have left and the breeding season is about to begin. Trumpeters are known to be very territorial during the mating season. They can become incredibly violent towards competitors, other swans, or any animals that could pose as a threat that invades their space. Trumpeters are migratory birds. When the weather gets colder (mid-October to late November) they begin a slow migration, with the first stop usually at Yellowstone National Park, and other parts of Wyoming and also parts of North Dakota. They remain there until the water freezes over and then they move onto scattered places including Utah and Arizona where the winter climate is much warmer. Many trumpeter swans spend the winter on the western coast of Canada, Alaska, and Washington. ( Earnst, 1994 ; Slater, 2006 ) Key Behaviors social Home Range Trumpeter swans are very territorial and rarely leave their nests unguarded.

Their nests are built on or near aquatic vegetation, and the adults do not need to wander far from the nest for food. Thus, the home range during the breeding season, though not calculated, is not expected to be substantial. ( Slater, 2006 ) How do they communicate with each other? Trumpeter swans produce a variety of sounds, but they are known for their low bugle call. In addition to the bugle call, they also use motions such as head bobbing to alert others of disturbances or in preparation for flight. Trumpeter swans call to warn the flock of impending danger. Trumpeter swans are very social creatures except for in times of mating, when they become quite territorial. Breeding pairs perform visual displays together which likely reinforce the pair-bond. ( Slater, 2006 ) Communication Channels chemical What do they eat? Young cygnets eat mostly aquatic insects. At five weeks of age, most cygnets have converted to a nearly herbivorous diet. This diet consists of tubers, roots, stems, and leaves aquatic vegetation as well as occasional insects.

In Alaska during mating season, the wetland plants commonly known as horsetail and Lyngbye's sedge are consumed in great quantities. However, because of the wide distribution of the species there are some variations of their diet such as duck potato, water weeds, pondweeds and sago pondweed tubers. Trumpeter swans attain their food by foraging underwater with their heads underwater and tails bobbing in the air. They also yank plants out of the damp ground, with most of the plant intact. ( Slater, 2006 ) Primary Diet roots and tubers What eats them and how do they avoid being eaten? Although adults aggressively defend their nests, ground nests are easy targets for land predators. Many predators, such as bears , wolves and coyotes , wolverines, raccoons , and common ravens are known to snatch eggs. Young cygnets and adults are prey to fast predators such as coyotes , bobcats , red foxes , and golden eagles . The main predator of adult trumpeter swans is mankind. Humans have hunted more of these swans than anything else.

Trumpeter swans are aggressive towards predators, and at 12 kg with a 2 m wingspan, they can potentially inflict serious damage. Trumpeter swans do exhibit warning behaviors before they attack, including head bobbing and hissing. ( Kraft, 1946 ; Schmidt, et al., 2009 ; Slater, 2006 ) Known Predators Golden Eagle ( Aquila chrysaetos ) What roles do they have in the ecosystem? Trumpeter swans' main role in the ecosystem is linked to their diet. Trumpeter swans eat many insects when they are young, but as they grow they switch to roots and aquatic plants. Swans use their beaks to dig around plant roots and will yank up whole plants from the ground. These holes in the ground allow for water and other nutrients to enter the soil and nourish the remaining organisms. Trumpeter swans can also be a host to parasites including tapeworms, trematodes, and heart worms. ( Cowan, 1946 ; Slater, 2006 ) Ecosystem Impact Tapeworms ( Hymenolepis ) Do they cause problems?

Trumpeter swans are very territorial animals, especially during mating season, and humans that enter their territory may be attacked. ( Slater, 2006 ) How do they interact with us? Historically, trumpeter swans were highly valued for their feathers and skins that were used for quill pens, arrows, and hat decorations. Today, trumpeter swans are protected under the United States Migratory Bird Act which makes hunting them illegal. ( Slater, 2006 ) Ways that people benefit from these animals: body parts are source of valuable material Are they endangered? Historically, birds were heavily harvested for decorative feathers and skins. Althugh they are protected under the United States Migratory Bird Act, some are still hunted illegally. If birds are illegally shot or accidentally eat a lead bullet, they may suffer from lead poisoning which leads to death. Today, habitat destruction is likely the greatest threat to trumpeter swans. Humans have destroyed most of the wetland habitats that trumpeter swans live in. Efforts are being made to protect trumpeter swans and their wetland habitat, with many states (including Michigan) involved in reintroduction programs. Trumpeter swans are listed as threatened in the state of Michigan.

Trumpeter swans are also affected by recent population increases of invasive mute swans . Mute swans are markedly more aggressive and will often chase trumpeters away from their shared wetland habitats. Some states are involved in mute swan control programs with the goal of reducing populations to allow for native swans to return. ( Squires, 1995 ) Kaitlyn Robins (author), Radford University, Karen Powers (editor), Radford University, Rachelle Sterling (editor), Special Projects. References Baskin, Y. 1993. Trumpeter swans relearn migration. Bioscience, 43/2: 76-79. Bergman, C. 1985. The Triumphant Trumpeter. National Geographic, 168/4: 544-558. Cowan, I. 1946. Death of a Trumpeter Swan from Multiple Parasitism. The Auk, 63/2: 248-249. Earnst, S. 1994. Tundra Swan Habitat Preferences during Migration in North Dakota.

The Journal of Wildlife Management, 58/3: 546-551. Grant, T., P. Henson. 1994. Feeding ecology of trumpeter swans breeding in south central Alaska. Journal of Wildlife Management, 58/4: 774. Hanson, P., J. Cooper. 1994. Nocturnal Behavior of Breeding Trumpeter Swans. The Auk, 111/4: 1013-1018. Henson, P., J. Cooper. 1993. Trumpeter Swan incubation in areas of differing food quality. Journal of Wildlife Management, 57/4: 709-716. Johnsgard, P. 1978. The Triumphant Trumpeter. Natural History, 87/9: 72. Kraft, F. 1946. The Flying Behemoth is Coming Back. Saturday Evening Post, 219/6: 6. Krementz, D., R. Barker, J. Nichols. 1997. Sources of Variation in Waterfowl Survival Rates.

The Auk, 114/2: 93-102. LaMontagne, J., L. Jackson, R. Barclay. 2003. Characteristics of ponds used by trumpeter swans. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 81/11: 1791-1798. Lynch, W. 2007. Perfection in White. Canadian Wildlife (Canadian Wildlife Federation), 13/4: 18-23. Mills, J. 1991. The Swan That Would Not Fly. National Wildlife, 29/6: 4. Proffitt, K. 2009. Trumpeter Swan Abundance and Growth Rates in Yellowstone National Park. Journal of Wildlife Management, 73/5: 728-736. Schmidt, J., M. Lindberg, D. Johnson, J. Schmutz. 2009. Environmental and human influences of trumpeter swan habitat occupancy in Alaska. Condor, 111/2: 266/275. Slater, G. 2006.

"Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator): a technical conservation assessment" (On-line pdf). US Forest Service. Accessed February 16, 2010 at . Squires, J. 1995. Trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator) food habits in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem. American Midland Naturalist, 133/2: 274. Squires, J., S. Anderson. 1997. Changes in trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator) activities. American Midland Naturalist, 138/1: 208. Truslow, F. 1960. Return of the Trumpeter. National Geographic, 118/1: 134. Wilkinson, T. 1991. Call of the Trumpeter. National Parks, 66/7-8: 26. EEK! - Critter Corner - The Trumpeter Swan The Trumpeter Swan A big, beautiful, white bird Snow-white trumpeter swans are a spectacular sight.

With a wingspan of more than 7 feet and a height of about 4 feet, the trumpeter swan is the largest native waterfowl species in North America. Trumpeters have broad, flat bills with fine tooth-like notches along the edges. This helps them strain aquatic plants and water as they feed. The birds' long necks and strong feet allow them to uproot plants in water up to 4 feet deep. They weigh between 21-30 pounds. Do you know the name for a male swan? The male swan is called a cob, the female is a pen; and a young swan in its first year of life is called a cygnet or juvenile. Trumpeter look-alikes The trumpeter is often confused with the more common tundra swan , the only other native swan found routinely in North America. Tundra swans can be seen in Wisconsin only during spring and fall migration. So how can you tell them apart? Look for the following. Trumpeter. The trumpeter swan has a deep, loud trumpet-like call. Tundra. The tundra swan has a high-pitched, quavering call that sounds more like a Canada goose.

Both swans are white with black bills which makes it pretty tough to tell them apart, but there are some differences. If you look at a side view of the two birds, you'll notice that the tundra swan's bill is slightly dish-shaped and smaller in proportion to its smoothly rounded head. The bill of the trumpeter looks heavy and somewhat wedge-shaped in proportion to its large, angular head. The best way to tell them apart is by their calls. There's another swan that can be confused with the trumpeter and that is the mute swan. This bird is not native to North America. European immigrants brought it to this country. It is found commonly along the East Coast of the United States and in scattered locations in the Midwest. The mute swan is considered to be an undesirable non-native species that harasses native waterfowl (ducks and geese) and uproots large amounts of aquatic vegetation. The mute swan is easily told apart from other swans by its orange bill and the prominent black, fleshy knob extending from the base of its bill to its forehead. Trumpeter habits and habitats Trumpeter swans may form pair bonds and nest as early as their second winter.

But most nest when they are 3-6 years old. They mate for life and may live for 20 years or more. If one member of a pair dies, the survivor finds another mate. Swans usually form pair bonds on their winter grounds. The pair migrates north in the spring to nest and sometimes arrives on the breeding grounds before the ice melts. Pairs may select a nesting spot that is the same as where the pen (female) was born. The female chooses the nest and the cob (male) defends it. If a pair spends at least two summers nesting at the same spot, it will form an almost unbreakable attachment to the site. Large, shallow wetlands, 1-3 feet deep, with a mix of vegetation and open water offer ideal swan nesting habitat. These locations provide the swans with underwater food like sago pondweed and water milfoil, as well as emergent (plants that stick out of the water) plants like arrowhead , bur reed, bulrush, sedges, and wild rice. Nest building begins in mid-April and lasts 1-2 weeks. Nests may reach diameters of 6 feet or more. That's quite a nest!

Trumpeters often build their nests on top of muskrat or beaver lodges, or they pile sedges and cattail tubers into mounds. The cob uproots vegetation and gives it to the pen, who piles it high. Then she uses her body to form a depression in the nest for her eggs. The same nest may be used year after year. Nests are usually surrounded by water. Can you guess why this is a good adaptation? It's difficult for many predators to sneak up on the pair. Beginning in late April or early May, the pen lays one off-white egg every other day until she lays between 5-9 eggs. The eggs are pretty big- 4 ï¿½ " long and 3" wide. The pen incubates the eggs and the cob protects the nest against intruders, including Canada geese . After 33 days of incubation, the young are born, hatching in late May or early June. They only weigh about 7 ounces. After a day or two, they take to the water and start feeding on plants and invertebrates. The cygnets grow fast.

They are fully feathered by 9-10 weeks, although they can't fly until they are about 15 weeks old. By this time they weigh about 20 pounds. In late September, the cygnets try out their wings with short flights. This helps them get ready for migrating south just before the temperature reaches freezing. Cygnets stay with their parents through their first winter, migrating back north to the breeding area in the spring. Shortly afterwards, they are driven away by their parents. The young stick together until they're about 2 years old. Then they seek mates and a new life in a remote marsh. Swan history Trumpeter swans were once fairly common throughout most of the northern United States and Canada. Market hunting and the use of swan skins in powder puffs and feathers in ladies hats rapidly reduced the number of nesting swans during the 19th century. Trumpeters nested in Minnesota and Wisconsin until the 1880s. In Wisconsin, trumpeters may have nested in all but the northeastern forested regions, most likely in large marshes or shallow lakes. By 1900, it was believed that the species had become extinct.

Fortunately, a small, nonmigratory population survived in the remote mountain valleys of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. In 1935, the U.S. government established Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Montana to protect the remaining trumpeter swans. With protection at the refuge and in Yellowstone National Park, the swans in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming increased to 640 birds by the late 1950s. In an effort to increase the swan population and improve their chances of survival, some trumpeters were moved to other areas with good swan habitat, including Hennepin Parks in Minnesota. Forty birds from the Red Rocks Lakes NWR formed the core of the Midwest's restoration effort in the late 1960s. We now know that in the 1930s when the Red Rock Lakes NWR was established, there was also a flock of trumpeter swans that survived in remote parts of Alaska and western Canada. Those flocks have grown a lot and now make up the most secure population of trumpeters in North America. These birds are found in the western United States.

In 2012, Wisconsin biologists counted 214 nesting pairs of trumpeters.

Question: What type of bird is a 'Silver Trumpeter'?
Answer: SWAN