General

Trumpeter Swan: Large swan, completely white but with head and neck often stained rust-brown from contact with ferrous minerals in wetland soils. Bill, legs, and feet are black. Sexes are similar. Juvenile is gray-brown with orange-pink saddle on black bill.

Range and Habitat

Trumpeter Swan: Nearly extirpated because of overharvest and widespread destruction and degradation of wetlands. Breeds in southern Alaska, northern British Columbia, western Alberta, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. Spends winters in southeastern Alaska, western British Columbia, and northwestern U.S. Preferred habitats include marshes, lakes, and rivers with dense vegetation.

Breeding and Nesting

Trumpeter Swan: Two to thirteen creamy white eggs are laid in a huge nest on a vegetation-covered island or beaver lodge. Incubation ranges from 32 to 37 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Trumpeter Swan: Diet consists of aquatic plants, insects, and snails. Long neck and powerful bill allows it to reach down and pull up submersed roots and stems that other waterbirds cannot. Each adult eats up to 20 pounds of food per day.

Vocalization

Trumpeter Swan: Call is a bugling "ko-hoh", similar to a French horn.

Similar Species

Trumpeter Swan: Tundra Swan is smaller and has yellow spot on bill.