Trumpeter SwanTrumpeter Swan -- South Dakota Birds
| Length: 60 - 72 inches | Wingspan: 6 to 8.5 feet | Seasonality: All Seasons |
| ID Keys: Very large all-black bill, white plumage, large size. Compare to Tundra Swan. | ||
Trumpeter Swan
Cygnus buccinator
The Trumpeter Swan is the heaviest of all native North American birds. They were hunted nearly to extinction during the 19th and early 20th centuries, but have recovered somewhat since the 1940s. They are often quite sensitive to human disturbance, although in recent decades, local populations have become accustomed to a human presence in parks and reservoirs.
Habitat: Favors large shallow water bodies with abundant vegetation, including shallow lakes, ponds, and large rivers. They will also use saltwater bays in the wintertime.
Diet: Primarily feeds on aquatic plants. They may also feed on waste grain and terrestrial grasses, especially in the winter when other food sources aren't available. Only very young cygnets eat insects and crustaceans.
Nesting: April through July
Breeding map: Breeding bird survey map
Song: Rich, resonating honking. To listen to this bird, click here to go to the "E-nature.com" site for the Trumpeter Swan, and click on "Listen to this species".
Migrations: Many populations in the lower 48 states are non-migratory. Those in Canada and Alaska, however, do move southward as waters begin to freeze.
Status: Trumpeter Swans once nested over much of North America, but were nearly wiped out in the Lower 48 by 1940. Numbers have rebounded locally in many locations, particularly in the Pacific Northwest, and efforts are underway to reintroduce the species into many parts of their historic range.
Similar Species: Tundra Swan, Mute Swan
Further Information: 1) Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Trumpeter Swan
2) Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Trumpeter Swan
3) eNature.com: Trumpeter Swan
Photo Information: August 26th, 2004 -- Yellowstone National Park, between Madison Junction and West Yellowstone -- Terry Sohl
Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Trumpeter Swan photos.
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| South Dakota Status: Uncommon summer resident and common winter resident in Bennett County. Casual to rare elsewhere in the state. |
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Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl
This page was last edited on 02/03/08
