Trumpter Swan Quick Facts
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Differences between the three species found in North America.
Trumpeter: Black bill with red border on lower mandible; the red border may be present on some tundras. The eye "disappears" into the bill. Slope of bill is straighter.
Tundra: Black bill, usually with yellow spot of varying size in front of the eye; the spot may be absent on some. The eye is separate from the bill.
Mute: Orange bill with prominent black knob (called a caruncle) at base.
Trumpeter and Tundra swans are native to North America. Mute swans were introduced from Europe and have become a feral invasive species, ousting native swans from their habitat. Feral mute swans live mostly in the east, around Chesapeake Bay and the eastern Great Lakes. Captive mutes may be seen in Stanley Park, Vancouver and in the Calgary Zoo.
Adult Male: Cob
Adult Female: Pen
Young Swan: Cygnet
The Cob and Pen are similar in appearance, however the Cob is larger.
| Weight: |
11.3 to 15.88 kg (25 to 35 pounds) |
| Height: |
Standing with head in alert position – 1.2 metres (4 feet) |
| Length: |
Tip of bill to end of tail – 1.5 metres (5 feet) |
| Wing Span: |
Tip to tip – 2.4 to 3 metres (8 to 10 feet) |
| Plumage: |
(Both genders similar) All white, head and neck may have rusty stains from feeding in water rich with iron salts. Cygnets are grayish but moult in their first winter to white plumage with some grey feathers. |
| Feet: |
18 cm (7") Black, webbed, four toes, hind one slightly elevated and free. Legs short and black. |
| Bill: |
11 cm (4.5" ) Black except for a narrow red border to the lower mandible. High at the base, broad and flattened at the tip for shoveling. |
| Voice: |
Surest identification is a deep resonant trombone or trumpet-like call (hence "trumpeter" swan) that can be heard over long distances. Tundra Swans have a higher pitched, weaker, bark-like call. |
| Nests: |
1.8m -2.4m (6-8 feet) across, surrounded by tall vegetation for protection. Typically surrounded by steady, calm water. Often constructed on top of muskrat or beaver houses and beaver dams. |
| Eggs: |
Off-white colour, 10.9 x 7.4 cm (4.3"x2.9") in size. Approx. 198g (7 oz.), shell is 6.3mm (1/4") thick. Incubation period is 33-35 days. |
| February: |
Leave wintering grounds in USA (Montana, Idaho, Wyoming) |
| mid-March: |
Arrive in Southwestern Alberta (Cardston) |
| mid-April: |
Arrive in Calgary area |
| late April: |
Arrive in Grande Prairie Area, often resting in puddles and flooded farm fields |
| late April-early May: |
Nesting pairs establish nesting sites |
| early to mid-May: |
Eggs are laid |
| early to mid- June: |
Eggs are hatched (average day June 10) |
| mid-July to Aug: |
Cygnets grow first feathers |
| mid-Sept to Oct: |
Cygnets learn to fly |
| late Oct to early Nov: |
Fall migration begins to wintering grounds |
- World's largest waterfowl
- World's rarest swan
- Pairs mate for life