Tundra Swan
Cygnus columbianus
The Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) is a common ducks, swans, and geese found in 58 countries, weighing about 6.4 kg. The tundra swan is a Holarctic species of swan and the smallest of the Holarctic swans.
About the Tundra Swan
The tundra swan is a Holarctic species of swan and the smallest of the Holarctic swans. It comprises two subspecies, which are sometimes treated as separate species: Bewick's swan of the Palaearctic and the whistling swan of the Nearctic.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
C. columbianus is the smallest of the Holarctic swans, at 115–150 cm (45–59 in) in length, 168–211 cm (66–83 in) in wingspan and a weight range of 3.4–9.6 kg (7.5–21.2 lb). In adult birds, the plumage of both subspecies is entirely white, with black feet, and a bill that is mostly black, with a thin salmon-pink streak running along the mouthline and – depending on the subspecies – more or less yellow in the proximal part. The iris is dark brown. In birds living in waters that contains large amounts of iron ions (e.g. bog lakes), the head and neck plumage acquires a golden or rusty hue. Voice: Tundra swans have high-pitched honking calls and sound similar to a black goose (Branta). They are particularly vocal when foraging in flocks on their wintering grounds; any conspecific arriving or leaving will elicit a bout of loud excited calling from its fellows.
What the Tundra Swan sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Spain, India, Israel, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Uzbekistan, Albania, Luxembourg, St. Pierre & Miquelon, Oman.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, October, November, December, with peak activity in March. It is a winter visitor species across most of its range.
Watch the Tundra Swan on live cams
Browse all 118 bird cams worldwide, live and seasonal, by region and species.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Tundra Swan?
- C. columbianus is the smallest of the Holarctic swans, at 115–150 cm (45–59 in) in length, 168–211 cm (66–83 in) in wingspan and a weight range of 3.4–9.6 kg (7.5–21.2 lb). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Tundra Swan?
- The Tundra Swan is a huge sized bird weighing about 6.4 kg.
- Where can you see a Tundra Swan?
- The Tundra Swan occurs in 58 countries, including the United States, Canada, Sweden, Belgium and the United Kingdom.
- What does a Tundra Swan sound like?
- You can listen to a field recording of the Tundra Swan on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Tundra Swan?
- The Tundra Swan is most easily confused with the Trumpeter Swan, the Black Swan and the Whooper Swan.
- Is the Tundra Swan endangered?
- The Tundra Swan is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Tundra 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.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.