Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Cygnus ("swan") buccinator ("trumpeter")

Adult and two juvenile Trumpter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) at Anchorage, Alaska, USA - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 7-13kg  /  Length: 140-165cm  /  Wingspan: 185-300cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Among the heaviest flying birds in the world, the Trumpeter swan has a larger average mass than its nearest rivals and by most other metrics a close second. It breeds in numerous pockets of area in the US and Alaska, though it's Wintering it more centred on the pacific coasts, though there are patches where it is resident.

Related Species:
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Cygnus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 

A widely distributed species in the Northern States of the lower 48 and Alaska.
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen at Necedah, Wisconsin and Anchorage, Alaska 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Black Swan (Cygnus atratus)

OTHER NAMES: Kooldjak, Gooldjak
Latin Etymology: Cygnus ("swan") atratus ("black")

Escapee Adult Black Swan (subspecies C. a. atratus) at Holme Pierrepont, Nottinghamshire - January 2018

Featured Subspecies: Cygnus atratus atratus
Weight: 3.7-9kg  /  Length: 110-142cm  /  Wingspan: 1.6-2cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

While a number of duck species have escaped captivity and gone feral, swans haven't had the same success.  In part this is because they tend to be less popular in collections to begin with.  The Black Swan is a native of Australia and the closest thing to an established feral swan species we have - there are a few small established populations dotted around the country, plus other sole individuals like this.  Interestingly, a black swan existed in European folklore before before Australia was discovered - a symbol for extreme rarity in contrast to the white swans familiar in Europe.

Related Species:
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Cygnus
Subspecies: C. a. atratus, C. a. sumnerensis (extinct)

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A Rare Feral Breeding Resident and Regular Escapee

 - Single bird seen at Holme Pierrepont (January 2018) 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Cygnus ("swan") cygnus ("swan")

Adult Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) in Frampton Marshes, Lincolnshire - August 2022

Featured Subspecies: N/A

Weight: 8-11kg  /  Length: 1.4-1.6m  /  Wingspan: 2-2.8cm
UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Whooper Swans are a large migratory swans that spend the Summer in Iceland and overwinter in the UK.  They are differentiated from Mute Swans by the yellow beak and from Bewick's swans by the larger size and the fact that the yellow on their beak is wedge shaped rather than rounded.  The wintering grounds are generally either in the North of the country, or in the general area of large estuaries such as the Wash and the Severn.  In the areas they frequent they can be seen grazing on fields in their family groups.  In Hokkaido, they are an abundant Winter visitor to wetlands and lakes, and can be seen easily even right next to towns. They are an important figure in Ainu mythology, regarded as a major divine spirit in the world.

Related Species:
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Cygnus
Subspecies: None - monotypic

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Rare breeding species (9-15 pairs) and locally numerous Winter migrant (15,000 birds)

 - One flock seen at Nene Washes in November 2012

JAPAN - Japanese - オオハクチョウ  / Oo-hakuchou ("Large Whitebird")  ///   Ainu: Pepap chikap ("Water-ladle birds") 

Locally abundant Winter migrant in Northern Japan.

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: Abundant in Akkeshi and a number seen at Akan Crane Centre 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Bewick's Swan (Cygnus columbianus)

OTHER NAMES: Tundra Swan

Latin Etymology: Cygnus ("swan") columbianus ("of Colombia")

Three Adult Bewick's Swan (subspecies C. c. bewickii) at Nene Washes, Cambridgreshire - February 2024

Featured Subspecies: Cygnus columbianus bewickii
Weight: 3.4-9.6g  /  Length: 115-150cm  /  Wingspan: 170-210cm,
UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The smallest of the three swans that are found in the UK, the Bewick's Swan is still a rather substantial bird.  Unlike the resident Mute Swan familiar to everyone, the other two species are purely Winter visitors, and are generally found at only a few sites where they congregate in very big numbers.  However, because they are migrants they can in theory turn up on any body of water big enough to support them.  Both migrant swans have yellow and black beaks rather than orange/black - the Bewick's can be differentiated by the yellow forming a round shape rather than a wedge as in the Whooper swan, and of course, the smaller size.

Related Species:
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Cygnus
Subspecies: C. c. columbianus, C.c. bewickii

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A fairly scarce and local Winter migrant (approx. 2600 birds)

 - Flock of four Wintering birds seen on Rutland Water in 2011, numerous birds at Nene Washes in February 2024

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, BirdGuides, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

OTHER NAMES: Tame Swan

Latin Etymology: Cygnus ("swan") olor (species specific name)

A flock of assorted aged Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) at Wellingborough, Northants - May 2013

Local Name (Japan): Kobu haku-chō (コブハクチョウ) - "Lump White-bird"
Weight: 8.5-12kg

Length: 120-170cm

Wingspan: 200-240cm

UK AMBER LIST  / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

One of the most common and easily seen of all British waterbirds, it is also one of the heaviest flying birds on earth and thus fairly difficult to miss.  They are found on most bodies of water, including lakes, rivers and parks even in urban areas and so should be one of the first waterbirds many people come across in their lives. Unlike the other two swans naturally occurring in Britain, the Mute Swan is identifiable by its orange beak with a raised black knob, and its "s" shaped neck, in addition to being the only one which occurs throughout the year rather than just wintering.  They are generally fairly approachable, so therefore should be very easy to photograph, though they may be aggressive so treat them with the respect that wild animals deserve.

Related Species:
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Cygnus
Subspecies: none - monotypic

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Common resident (6000 pairs) and common Winter visitor (79,000 birds)

 - Birds seen at sites including but not limited to Rutland Water, Regent's Park, Kensington Gardens, Pitsford Reservoir, Ditchford Gravel Pits, Eyebrook Reservoir and Geddington.
JAPAN - A rare feral species

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: One pair seen in central Tokyo.

Further Notes: Arkive, BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .