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Tundra Swanby jim macgregor on April 9, 2012
Tundra Swanby jbstruthers on April 19, 2010
Tundra Swanby TONY on October 21, 2009
Tundra Swanby TONY on October 21, 2009
Tundra Swanby TONY on October 21, 2009
Tundra Swan
The Whistling Swan (Cygnus columbianus) is a small North American swan. It is sometimes considered conspecific with Bewick's Swan, forming the species Tundra Swan.
The Whistling Swan breeds in arctic Alaska and Canada and winters in the coastal USA. It is distinguished from Bewick's Swan by its largely black bill with a small yellow spot of variable size at the base.
The name "Whistling Swan" comes from the sound made by its large powerful wings when this bird is in flight. This bird's call is softer and less brassy than that of the Trumpeter Swan.
The female bird lays 4 to 7 eggs in a mound of plant material on a site near open water. The pair build the nest and defend a large territory around it.
In summer, their diet consists mainly of aquatic vegetation, eaten while swimming. At other times of year, they also eat cultivated grains in open fields.
According to National Geographic, when migrating these birds can fly at altitudes of nearly 27,000 ft.
Healthy adult birds have few natural predators. Although numbers are stable, they are increasingly dependent on agricultural crops to supplement their winter diet due to loss of aquatic vegetation in their winter habitat as a result of habitat destruction and water pollution.
Trivia
United Airlines Flight 297 crashed on November 23, 1962 after it collided with a flock of whistling swans while the plane was cruising at 6,000 feet. All 17 onboard died.