Trumpeter Trumpeter SwansSwans

Trumpeter Swan Trumpeter Swan Information:Information:• The Trumpeter Swan is the largest The Trumpeter Swan is the largest

waterfowl species native to North waterfowl species native to North America.America.

• Most Trumpeters weigh 21-30 Most Trumpeters weigh 21-30 pounds, although large males may pounds, although large males may exceed 35 pounds. exceed 35 pounds.

• The male is called a cob; the female is The male is called a cob; the female is called a pen; the young swans up to called a pen; the young swans up to one year of age are called "cygnets". one year of age are called "cygnets".

Trumpeter Swan Trumpeter Swan Information:Information:

• With a wingspan over 7 feet, these With a wingspan over 7 feet, these snow-white birds are truly snow-white birds are truly spectacular. Standing on the ground, spectacular. Standing on the ground, an adult Trumpeter stands about 4 an adult Trumpeter stands about 4 feet high.feet high.

• Trumpeter Swans mate for life and Trumpeter Swans mate for life and may live for 20 to 30 years. may live for 20 to 30 years.

Can you find the Trumpeter Can you find the Trumpeter Swan?Swan?

Did you get it correct?Did you get it correct?

• If you picked the second swan you If you picked the second swan you are correct.are correct.

• The first one is a Mute Swan, and the The first one is a Mute Swan, and the second bird is a Tundra Swan.second bird is a Tundra Swan.

History of Trumpeter Swans:History of Trumpeter Swans:

• Trumpeter Swans were once fairly common Trumpeter Swans were once fairly common throughout most of the northern United States and throughout most of the northern United States and Canada. They were almost completely extinct due to Canada. They were almost completely extinct due to hunting and the trade market.hunting and the trade market.

• By 1900, it was widely believed that the species had By 1900, it was widely believed that the species had become extinct. Fortunately, a small non-migratory become extinct. Fortunately, a small non-migratory population survived in the remote mountain valleys of population survived in the remote mountain valleys of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. Two nests were found Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. Two nests were found in Yellowstone National Park in 1919; and in 1932, 69 in Yellowstone National Park in 1919; and in 1932, 69 Trumpeters were documented in the region. We now Trumpeters were documented in the region. We now know that a population of several thousand know that a population of several thousand Trumpeters also survived in remote parts of Alaska Trumpeters also survived in remote parts of Alaska and Canada. and Canada.

Trumpeter Swans Today:Trumpeter Swans Today:

• The Trumpeter The Trumpeter Swans are now Swans are now protected. They protected. They can no longer be can no longer be hunted throughout hunted throughout their regions.their regions.

• Their population is Their population is slowly beginning to slowly beginning to increase.increase.

Trumpeter Swans and their Trumpeter Swans and their nest:nest:• Nest-building begins in mid-April and may take up Nest-building begins in mid-April and may take up

to two weeks. to two weeks. • The nests may reach a diameter of 6 feet or The nests may reach a diameter of 6 feet or

more. Trumpeters build their nests on top of more. Trumpeters build their nests on top of muskrat or beaver lodges, or they pile sedges muskrat or beaver lodges, or they pile sedges and cattail tubers into a mound. and cattail tubers into a mound.

• The cob uproots the vegetation and transfers it to The cob uproots the vegetation and transfers it to the pen, who piles it high, then uses her body to the pen, who piles it high, then uses her body to form a depression for the eggs. form a depression for the eggs.

• The same nest structure may be used from one The same nest structure may be used from one year to the next. year to the next.

• Water usually surrounds the nest making it Water usually surrounds the nest making it difficult for a predator to surprise the swans. difficult for a predator to surprise the swans.

Trumpeter Swans and their Trumpeter Swans and their nest:nest:

• When the pen leaves the nest, she covers the When the pen leaves the nest, she covers the eggs with nest material. The cob stands guard on eggs with nest material. The cob stands guard on or near the nest to deter predators. or near the nest to deter predators.

• Intruding swans or predators are vigorously Intruding swans or predators are vigorously chased away. The adults perform a "triumph chased away. The adults perform a "triumph display" after intruders are repelled. Facing one display" after intruders are repelled. Facing one another, they quiver their wings and trumpet another, they quiver their wings and trumpet loudly. loudly.

• When the cygnets hatch in June, they weigh When the cygnets hatch in June, they weigh about 7 ounces. After a day or two, they take to about 7 ounces. After a day or two, they take to the water to feed on insects. the water to feed on insects.

References:References:

• http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/ehttp://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/er/factsheets/birds/swan.htmr/factsheets/birds/swan.htm

• http://www.nps.gov/yell/nature/animhttp://www.nps.gov/yell/nature/animals/birds/trumpeter.htmals/birds/trumpeter.htm

• http://www.trumpeterswansociety.orhttp://www.trumpeterswansociety.org/id.htmg/id.htm