The Comeback of the Trumpeter Swan
- Ken Oliver
- Nov 1, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 7, 2024
Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)
The Trumpeter Swan is the heaviest living bird native to North America. Males can weigh over 26 lbs. These swans need at least 325 ft. of runway to become airborne. They are also the largest native waterfowl as they can stretch up to 6 ft.
By the late 1800s the Trumpeter Swan was hunted to near extinction for not only the meat but also their feathers, used to adorn hats and for writing quills, and their skin which was used as powder puffs. In the Peterborough area they were gone until the late 1980s. After wildlife conservation groups stepped in to prevent their extinction their numbers have grown and by the early 2000s their numbers have recovered.
Some Interesting Facts
Trumpeter Swans will bond with their mate at 3 or 4 Years old and usually mate for life. They stay together throughout the year and migrate in winter to unfrozen coastal or inland water bodies.
Unlike other waterfowl the Trumpeter Swan will keep the eggs warm in the nest by covering them with their webbed feet. They will lay 4-6 eggs and can take 32 - 37 days to incubate. When they hatch their eyes are partially closed and they are covered in gray or occasionally white down. The cygnets will leave the nest within 24 hrs. of hatching and are able to swim and feed. At 90 - 122 days after hatching the Trumpeter Swan is able to fly.
The nest can take anywhere from 2 weeks to over a month to build and can reach up to 11 ft. across. These massive nests are usually built on small land masses surrounded by water, like a small island or even a beaver dam. The swan pair will usually use the same nesting site every year.
Trumpeter Swan Diet
Trumpeter Swans are mainly vegetarians but are known to eat small fish and fish eggs occasionally. They feed on a wide variety of water plant life. In the winter they will eat more ground plants and berries. These swans will feed day and night.
The Comeback
The Trumpeter Swan numbers in the Peterborough region reached zero and were re-introduced in the 1980s and the numbers have been on the rise.
These graceful creatures are sensitive to human interference and will abandon their nests and their cygnets if they are disturbed. Along with habitat loss due to redevelopment of land they also face other environmental issues such as lead poisoning. Despite this the swan is increasing in numbers.
You are more likely to see them in a natural habitat as opposed to a city surrounding. They like the shallow calm water, wetlands and you may even spot them feeding in a farmer's field.
Conclusion
The Trumpeter swan is an amazing sight to see. The size of these birds cannot be imagined until you see one in real life and close up. When they are standing out of the water with their neck stretched out they can be as tall as 6 ft.
I leave you with a few more images. Enjoy!
Ken Oliver
Comments are greatly appreciated!
Trumpeter swans are so big. I would like to see a Tubist swan, which must be even larger to carry the heavier instrument. People should not eat swans. Anywho try to should have their human homes taken away and be made to live is a swamp like a swan.. but with no hut like Shrek. Shrek looks good by comparison to swan-eating devils! Long live swans. ✊