Trumpeter Swan
Cygnus buccinator
The Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) is a common ducks, swans, and geese found in 7 countries, weighing about 11.1 kg. The trumpeter swan, or simply the trumpeter, is a species of swan found in North America.
About the Trumpeter Swan
The trumpeter swan, or simply the trumpeter, is a species of swan found in North America. The heaviest living bird native to North America, it is also the largest extant species of waterfowl, with a wingspan of 185 to 304.8 cm. It is the American counterpart and a close relative of the whooper swan of Eurasia and has even been considered the same species by some authorities. By 1933, fewer than 70 wild individuals were known to exist; extinction seemed imminent until aerial surveys discovered a Pacific population of several thousand trumpeter swans around Alaska's Copper River. Careful reintroductions by wildlife agencies and the Trumpeter Swan Society gradually restored the North American…
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The trumpeter swan is the largest extant species of waterfowl, and both the heaviest and longest native bird of North America. Adults usually measure 138–165 cm (4 ft 6 in – 5 ft 5 in) long, though large males can exceed 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) in total length. The weight of adult birds is typically 7–13.6 kg (15–30 lb). Possibly due to seasonal variation based on food access and variability due to age, average weights in males have been reported to range from 10.9 to 12.7 kg (24 to 28 lb) and from 9.4 to 10.3 kg (21 to 23 lb) in females.
What the Trumpeter Swan sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Netherlands.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in May. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Trumpeter Swan?
- The trumpeter swan is the largest extant species of waterfowl, and both the heaviest and longest native bird of North America. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Trumpeter Swan?
- The Trumpeter Swan is a huge sized bird weighing about 11.1 kg.
- Where can you see a Trumpeter Swan?
- The Trumpeter Swan occurs in 7 countries, including the United States, Canada and the United Arab Emirates.
- What does a Trumpeter Swan sound like?
- You can listen to 2 field recordings of the Trumpeter Swan on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Trumpeter Swan?
- The Trumpeter Swan is most easily confused with the Tundra Swan, the Black Swan and the Whooper Swan.
- Is the Trumpeter Swan endangered?
- The Trumpeter Swan is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Trumpeter Swan for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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