The whooper swan, also known as the common swan, is a large northern hemisphere swan. It is the Eurasian counterpart of the North American trumpeter swan.
Region
Northern Eurasia
Typical Environment
Breeds across subarctic and boreal zones from Iceland and Scandinavia through northern Russia to Mongolia and northeastern China. Winters widely in western and central Europe, around the Black and Caspian Seas, and in East Asia including Korea and Japan. Prefers large shallow freshwater lakes, slow rivers, and marshes for breeding, shifting to estuaries, reservoirs, and agricultural lowlands in winter. Nests are built on mounded vegetation near open water with good visibility.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Continental
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The whooper swan is the Eurasian counterpart of the North American trumpeter swan and is known for its loud, bugling “whoop” calls that carry over long distances. It has a striking yellow-and-black bill pattern and a long, straight neck, and pairs often form lifelong bonds. In winter it gathers in vocal, conspicuous flocks on lakes, estuaries, and flooded fields.
Head detail
Three whooper swans and one mute swan
Eggs, Collection Museum Wiesbaden
Temperament
social and alert
Flight Pattern
strong flier with steady, powerful wingbeats; often in V-formation
Social Behavior
Outside the breeding season it is gregarious, forming noisy flocks on open water and fields. Breeding pairs are territorial and typically nest alone on raised mounds near water, with both adults defending the site. Pairs often remain together for life and cooperate in rearing the cygnets.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Rich, trumpet-like bugling that carries far, often given in rhythmic sequences. Pairs may duet, and flocks produce a resonant chorus during flight and on the water.
Plumage
Uniformly white plumage with dense, sleek body feathers and broad wings.
Diet
Feeds primarily on aquatic vegetation, including leaves, stems, roots, and tubers of pondweeds and other water plants. In winter it readily grazes grasses and sedges and will take waste grain or potatoes on farmland. Occasional ingestion of small aquatic invertebrates occurs incidentally while foraging but is not a major component.
Preferred Environment
Forages by dabbling and up-ending in shallow lakes, rivers, and marsh edges, and by grazing in nearby fields. In winter it often uses estuaries, flooded meadows, and reservoirs where open water and gentle shorelines are available.
