Kenny and Steve
Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)
Description: Adults have snowy, all-white plumage, and remarkably long necks (as long as their bodies) held outthrust during flight, but erect while swimming. Wingspan in the male is 2.4 m (8 ft), compared with 1.8 m (6 ft) for the female. Body length 140-160 cm (56-62 in) for adult males, with adult females 140-150 cm (55-58 in). Body weights vary from 9.5-17.2 kg (21-38 lbs), with an average of 12.7 kb (28 lbs) for the males and 10.3 kg (22.6 lbs) for the females.
Range and Habitat: After many years of protection, the species is still confined to small, isolated areas in Alaska, British Columbia, Alberta, Wyoming and Montana. The trumpeter has been re-introduced into Minnesota and Wisconsin. Trumpeters inhabit shallow, sheltered and preferably fresh waters.
Habits and Adaptations: Courtship is slow and displays have great significance. Swans usually mate for life. Unlike most other waterfowl, both sexes participate in building the nest. A mated pair will vigorously defend the mating, nesting and cygnet feeding grounds. Females usually begin their wing molt from 1-3 weeks before the eggs hatch, while the males of breeding pairs usually begin to molt before hatching also, although some molt afterwards. Most communication is through visual displays. Waterfowl have monocular vision - each eye is used independently for lateral views.
Diet: A variety of marsh and aquatic freshwater plants compose the bulk of the food consumed.
Breeding and Maturation: In Alaska, spring arrival is in late March or April. Egg laying normally commences in late April or early May and is completed in mid-May with a normal clutch size of 4-5 eggs. Both parents attend the nest but only the female incubates. Incubation period varies from 33-37 days. Hatching requires about 2 days. The cygnet uses a thorn-like projection on the tip of the upper mandible - the egg tooth - to break through the shell. Cygnets are closely attended by both parents until the cygnets reach flight age.
Miscellaneous: Today the trumpeter is legally protected throughout the entire year, and it was removed from the list of endangered species only a few years ago. Successful establishment of breeding populations in several western refuges suggest that at least remnant populations of trumpeters can be maintained in these areas where there is protection and available habitat.
Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)
Description: Adults have snowy, all-white plumage, and remarkably long necks (as long as their bodies) held outthrust during flight, but erect while swimming. Wingspan in the male is 2.4 m (8 ft), compared with 1.8 m (6 ft) for the female. Body length 140-160 cm (56-62 in) for adult males, with adult females 140-150 cm (55-58 in). Body weights vary from 9.5-17.2 kg (21-38 lbs), with an average of 12.7 kb (28 lbs) for the males and 10.3 kg (22.6 lbs) for the females.
Range and Habitat: After many years of protection, the species is still confined to small, isolated areas in Alaska, British Columbia, Alberta, Wyoming and Montana. The trumpeter has been re-introduced into Minnesota and Wisconsin. Trumpeters inhabit shallow, sheltered and preferably fresh waters.
Habits and Adaptations: Courtship is slow and displays have great significance. Swans usually mate for life. Unlike most other waterfowl, both sexes participate in building the nest. A mated pair will vigorously defend the mating, nesting and cygnet feeding grounds. Females usually begin their wing molt from 1-3 weeks before the eggs hatch, while the males of breeding pairs usually begin to molt before hatching also, although some molt afterwards. Most communication is through visual displays. Waterfowl have monocular vision - each eye is used independently for lateral views.
Diet: A variety of marsh and aquatic freshwater plants compose the bulk of the food consumed.
Breeding and Maturation: In Alaska, spring arrival is in late March or April. Egg laying normally commences in late April or early May and is completed in mid-May with a normal clutch size of 4-5 eggs. Both parents attend the nest but only the female incubates. Incubation period varies from 33-37 days. Hatching requires about 2 days. The cygnet uses a thorn-like projection on the tip of the upper mandible - the egg tooth - to break through the shell. Cygnets are closely attended by both parents until the cygnets reach flight age.
Miscellaneous: Today the trumpeter is legally protected throughout the entire year, and it was removed from the list of endangered species only a few years ago. Successful establishment of breeding populations in several western refuges suggest that at least remnant populations of trumpeters can be maintained in these areas where there is protection and available habitat.