Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) lives in arctic tundra wetlands; winter grassland and marshland across North America, Europe, and Asia. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Tundra Swan
- Tundra swans are the tiniest of the world's Holarctic swans, measuring just 115-150 cm (45-59 in) long, spreading a wingspan of 168-211 cm (66-83 in) and weighing only 3.4-9.6 kg (7.5-21.2 lb). Their compact build makes them look more like a large white goose than a swan.
- Young tundra swans leave the nest in just 60-75 days, a rate twice as fast as mute swan cygnets. In the whistling subspecies they reach the fledging stage in that window, while Bewick's swans can sometimes launch into flight after only 40-45 days, a record for any swan.
- Tundra swans can live a surprisingly long life: the oldest recorded individual reached over 24 years, with a documented maximum of 24.1 years. Although the average wild lifespan is only about 10 years, those that survive early mortality can outlive many other waterfowl.
- During migration tundra swans soar up to 8 km (5.0 mi) high in a tight V formation, a height confirmed by observations of individuals at 8,229.6 m above ground.
- Lead poisoning is a leading killer of tundra swans: about half of studied birds carried lead shot in their bodies. Official harvests total 4,000 whistling swans annually, while poachers and subsistence hunters take another 6,000-10,000.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeNorth America, Europe, and Asia
HabitatArctic tundra wetlands; winter grassland and marshland
DietAquatic plants & grains
About the Tundra Swan
As the Arctic sun rises over the frozen tundra, the Tundra Swan emerges, its snowy plumage glistening like the landscape itself, as it glides effortlessly across the icy waters, its long neck bending with elegant precision. With a soft, mournful call, it navigates the harsh yet breathtakingly beautiful world of the far north, a symbol of resilience and adaptability in one of the most unforgiving environments on Earth. As it takes to the skies, its powerful wings beating in a slow, rhythmic motion, the Tundra Swan embodies the very essence of wild, unbridled freedom.
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