Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Anseriformes
Family:Anatidae
Genus:Cygnus
Species:C. cygnus
Binomial name
Cygnus cygnus
Belmullet Co.Mayo 24-12-2020
Cygnus cygnus
Eala Ghlórach
Status: Winter visitor to wetlands throughout Ireland from October to April.
Conservation Concern: Amber-listed due to Ireland hosting more than 20% of the European wintering population. Also due to the majority of Whooper Swans wintering at ten or less sites, as well as its very small breeding population. BirdLife International has assessed the European population as Secure.
Identification: Similar to Bewick's Swan, but larger, with longer neck. Yellow and black bill, with the yellow projecting below the nostril.
Similar Species: Mute and Bewick's Swans.
Call: Vocal bugling or honking.
Diet: Aquatic vegetation, but they are increasingly being recorded grazing on grass in pasture and spilt grain, as well as potatoes from cultivated land.
Breeding: Open shallow water, by coastal inlets, estuaries and rivers. The population occurring in Ireland breeds in Iceland.
Wintering: Most on lowland open farmland around inland wetlands, regularly seen while feeding on grasslands and stubble.
Where to See: Relatively widespread, especially north and west of a line between Limerick and Dublin. Lough Swilly & River Foyle (Co. Donegal) and Lough Foyle on the Donegal/Derry boundary, Lough Gara (Co. Sligo) and the Lough Oughter wetland complex all support greatest numbers (400-2,000 birds).
Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Anseriformes
Family:Anatidae
Genus:Cygnus
Species:C. cygnus
Binomial name
Cygnus cygnus
Belmullet Co.Mayo 24-12-2020
Cygnus cygnus
Eala Ghlórach
Status: Winter visitor to wetlands throughout Ireland from October to April.
Conservation Concern: Amber-listed due to Ireland hosting more than 20% of the European wintering population. Also due to the majority of Whooper Swans wintering at ten or less sites, as well as its very small breeding population. BirdLife International has assessed the European population as Secure.
Identification: Similar to Bewick's Swan, but larger, with longer neck. Yellow and black bill, with the yellow projecting below the nostril.
Similar Species: Mute and Bewick's Swans.
Call: Vocal bugling or honking.
Diet: Aquatic vegetation, but they are increasingly being recorded grazing on grass in pasture and spilt grain, as well as potatoes from cultivated land.
Breeding: Open shallow water, by coastal inlets, estuaries and rivers. The population occurring in Ireland breeds in Iceland.
Wintering: Most on lowland open farmland around inland wetlands, regularly seen while feeding on grasslands and stubble.
Where to See: Relatively widespread, especially north and west of a line between Limerick and Dublin. Lough Swilly & River Foyle (Co. Donegal) and Lough Foyle on the Donegal/Derry boundary, Lough Gara (Co. Sligo) and the Lough Oughter wetland complex all support greatest numbers (400-2,000 birds).