Tundra Swan

Description: The plumage of adult tundra swans is completely white, although their head and neck are often stained a rusty color from ferrous minerals encountered in marsh soils during feeding. The bill is black and often has a yellow spot at the base. The legs and feet are black and the iris is dark brown. Both sexes are identical in appearance, but males typically are larger. The tundra swan is smaller than the similar trumpeter swan, however it is difficult to separate them in the field. The tundra swans call is high-pitched and reminiscent of snow geese, while the trumpeter swans call is more vociferous and has been likened to the sound of a French horn.


Breeding: The tundra swan's breeding range spans most of the Arctic and sub-Arctic tundra from Bristol Bay, Alaska north along the Bering Sea coast, the Arctic Ocean east to Baffin Island, and south to the northwest coast of Quebec. Female tundra swans prefer to nest on shores, points, islands, or hummocks found near lakes, ponds, or marshes and lay an average of 5 eggs.

Migrating and Wintering: Tundra swans winter mainly along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America from southern British Columbia to California and from New Jersey to South Carolina. In the U.S., primary wintering areas include the Atlantic coast from northern South Carolina to southern New Jersey, the Great Salt Lake vicinity, and central and northern California.

Population: There are 2 populations of tundra swans recognized in North America, eastern and western. The western population has increased at an average rate of 6% per year since 1990 and in January 2000 was estimated at 89,620 birds. Similarly, the eastern population has increased at an average rate of 5% per year since 1990 and in January 2000 was estimated at 103,080 birds.

Food habits: Tundra swans feed on aquatic plants found in shallow water by immersing their head and neck. They primarily feed on widgeon grass, sago and clasping leaf pondweeds, and wild celery, but also utilize waste grain (corn and soybeans) and winter wheat shoots.