Species: Cygnus columbianus

Tundra Swan

Species

Birds

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Terrestrial vertebrates: birds

Salish Sea-reliant birds

Species of concern in the Salish Sea

Encyclopedia of Puget Sound

Classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Craniata

Class

Aves

Order

Anseriformes

Family

Anatidae

Genus

Cygnus

NatureServe

Source:
ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.105749

Classification

Other Global Common Names

Cisne de Tundra - cygne siffleur

Informal Taxonomy

Animals, Vertebrates - Birds - Waterfowl

Formal Taxonomy

Animalia - Craniata - Aves - Anseriformes - Anatidae - Cygnus - .

Ecology and Life History

Migration

false - false - true - Nearly all swans nesting along Beaufort Sea coast winter on Atlantic coast and migrate through Mackenzie Valley and along Yukon coast in spring (Johnson and Herter 1989). Northward migration over interior U.S. usually occurs in March-April. May arrive in some nesting areas as early as March; begins to arrive in Beaufort Sea area mid- to late May (Johnson and Herter 1989). Fall migration in Beaufort Sea region September-October; nesters from northeastern Alaska and Yukon North Slope migrate south through Mackenzie Valley to Peace-Athabasca delta, Alberta, where they apparently mix with western Alaska birds that nested in Yukon River delta; both populations congregate in large numbers at lakes Claire and Richardson in Peace-Athabasca delta before continuing overland to wintering areas (Johnson and Herter 1989).

Non-migrant

false

Locally Migrant

false

Food Comments

Feeds primarily on aquatic plants. Sago pondweed is a favorite food during brood-rearing period and molt (Johnson and Herter 1989). Also eats grasses, sedges and thin-shelled mollusks. Forages while swimming on the surface of the water, with head and neck below surface; roots and digs at plants, stimulating their growth.

Reproduction Comments

Breeding begins late May to June. Female incubates 5, sometimes 3-7 eggs for 30-32 days. Peak hatching usually is in late June-early July in Beaufort Sea region. Single-brooded. Young can fly at about 9-10 weeks, remain with the adults until the following spring (Harrison 1978). Probably first breeds at 3 years (may establish territory at 2 years). Substantial portion of birds in breeding areas may be nonbreeders. Highest nest density in Alaska: 1.5 nests per sq km in Yukon-Kuskokwim River delta (see Johnson and Herter 1989).

Ecology Comments

May gather in large flocks to feed. Family groups of 6-7 individuals may form flocks and move together.

Length

132

Weight

7100

Conservation Status

NatureServe Global Status Rank

Global Status Last Reviewed

1996-11-20

Global Status Last Changed

1996-11-20

Other Status

LC - Least concern

Distribution

Conservation Status Map

Global Range

H - >2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles) - H - BREEDS: Alaska and Canadian low Arctic; northern Russia east along Arctic coast to northern Siberia. WINTERS: mainly on Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America from southern British Columbia to California and from New Jersey to South Carolina; Eurasia south to British Isles, northern Europe, southeastern Asia. Accidental in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and elsewhere (AOU 1998). In the U.S., primary wintering areas include the Atlantic coast from northern South Carolina to southern New Jersey, the vicinity of the Great Salt Lake, and central and northern California (Root 1988).

Global Range Code

Global Range Description

>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)

ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.105749