General

Whooper Swan: Large, white swan with black and yellow bill; broad, yellow patch covers at least half of upper mandible. Sexes are similar. Juvenile is pale gray-brown and has pink bill with black tip. Rare visitor to Alaska.

Range and Habitat

Whooper Swan: Breeds mainly across northern Eurasia, including Iceland. Uncommon but regular in the winter on the outer Aleutian Islands; very rare elsewhere in Alaska.

Breeding and Nesting

Whooper Swan: Four to six pale yellow eggs are laid on a large mound of reeds, sedges, and other plants, usually close to water. Female incubates eggs for approximately 35 days.

Foraging and Feeding

Whooper Swan: Diet consists of aquatic plants, grass, grains, and tubers.

Vocalization

Whooper Swan: Makes a low-pitched "whoop-whoop" in flight and a single bugled note when alarmed.

Similar Species

Whooper Swan: Bewick's (Tundra) Swan is much smaller and has shorter neck and less yellow on bill. Mute Swan is smaller with dull red to orange bill. Trumpeter Swan has mostly black bill.