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;Cygnus columbianus | ;Cygnus columbianus | ||
| − | [[Image:5134Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Paul Tavares<br />Photo taken: Hamilton Harbour. | + | [[Image:5134Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Paul Tavares.<br/>Photo taken: Hamilton Harbour, Ontario, Canada.]] |
| + | [[Image:Bewicks_Swan.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by praby.]] | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | 48-55" (1.2-1.4 m). Large, all white; bill black, usually with small yellow spot in front of eye. Rare Trumpeter Swan is larger and lacks yellow on bill. Holds neck straight up, unlike Mute Swan, which bends its neck in a graceful curve. | + | 48-55" (1.2-1.4 m). Large, all white; bill black, usually with small yellow spot in front of eye. Rare [[Trumpeter Swan]] is larger and lacks yellow on bill. Holds neck straight up, unlike [[Mute Swan]], which bends its neck in a graceful curve. |
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | Birds from European Russia east to the Taymyr Peninsula migrate across the White Sea and Baltic to winter in North-Western Europe from Denmark and north Germany to Belgium and in parts of England and Ireland. Small numbers winter in north-west France and in the Camargue. Main passage periods are March-April and October-November. Wintering sites are usually traditionally used areas but in severe weather there may be considerable wandering. | + | Birds from European [[Russia]] east to the Taymyr Peninsula migrate across the White Sea and Baltic to winter in North-Western [[Europe]] from [[Denmark]] and north Germany to Belgium and in parts of England and Ireland. Small numbers winter in north-west France and in the Camargue. Main passage periods are March-April and October-November. Wintering sites are usually traditionally used areas but in severe weather there may be considerable wandering. In the Western Palearctic breeds only on the coasts of Arctic [[Russia]], on Ostrov Kolguyev and Novaya Zemlya. |
Recorded as a vagrant north to Svalbard and Bear Island, to most mainland European countries and south to Cyprus, North Africa and Jordan. | Recorded as a vagrant north to Svalbard and Bear Island, to most mainland European countries and south to Cyprus, North Africa and Jordan. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | + | Includes subspecies ''bewickii'' often elevated to species status as Bewick's Swan. The North American form is then known as Whistling Swan. | |
| − | + | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Breeds on pools and lakes in areas of open swampy tundra, sometimes along slow-flowing rivers or on sheltered sea-coasts. On passage on lakes and rivers, sometimes on coasts, and in winter in wetland areas with open water and often flooded fields. These long-established wintering grounds may not be occupied for the entire winter but may be used as a base from which the birds look for new feeding areas. | Breeds on pools and lakes in areas of open swampy tundra, sometimes along slow-flowing rivers or on sheltered sea-coasts. On passage on lakes and rivers, sometimes on coasts, and in winter in wetland areas with open water and often flooded fields. These long-established wintering grounds may not be occupied for the entire winter but may be used as a base from which the birds look for new feeding areas. | ||
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==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
| − | {{GSearch|Cygnus+columbianus}} | + | {{GSearch|Cygnus+columbianus Use "Cygnus columbianus" to}} |
| + | {{GSearch|Cygnus+bewickii Use "Cygnus bewickii" to}} | ||
*[http://www.orientalbirdimages.org/birdimages.php?action=birdspecies&Bird_ID=167&Bird_Image_ID=4658&Bird_Family_ID=61 View more images of this species on Orientalbirdimages] | *[http://www.orientalbirdimages.org/birdimages.php?action=birdspecies&Bird_ID=167&Bird_Image_ID=4658&Bird_Family_ID=61 View more images of this species on Orientalbirdimages] | ||
[[Category:Birds]] | [[Category:Birds]] | ||
Revision as of 22:55, 13 October 2007
- Cygnus columbianus
Identification
48-55" (1.2-1.4 m). Large, all white; bill black, usually with small yellow spot in front of eye. Rare Trumpeter Swan is larger and lacks yellow on bill. Holds neck straight up, unlike Mute Swan, which bends its neck in a graceful curve.
Distribution
Birds from European Russia east to the Taymyr Peninsula migrate across the White Sea and Baltic to winter in North-Western Europe from Denmark and north Germany to Belgium and in parts of England and Ireland. Small numbers winter in north-west France and in the Camargue. Main passage periods are March-April and October-November. Wintering sites are usually traditionally used areas but in severe weather there may be considerable wandering. In the Western Palearctic breeds only on the coasts of Arctic Russia, on Ostrov Kolguyev and Novaya Zemlya.
Recorded as a vagrant north to Svalbard and Bear Island, to most mainland European countries and south to Cyprus, North Africa and Jordan.
Taxonomy
Includes subspecies bewickii often elevated to species status as Bewick's Swan. The North American form is then known as Whistling Swan.
Habitat
Breeds on pools and lakes in areas of open swampy tundra, sometimes along slow-flowing rivers or on sheltered sea-coasts. On passage on lakes and rivers, sometimes on coasts, and in winter in wetland areas with open water and often flooded fields. These long-established wintering grounds may not be occupied for the entire winter but may be used as a base from which the birds look for new feeding areas.
Behaviour
Nesting 4-6 creamy-white eggs placed on a large mound of grass and moss on an island or beside a marshy tundra lake.
Bird Song
<flashmp3>Cygnus columbianus (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
