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Tundra Swan

Cygnus columbianus

Least Concern (IUCN Red List)Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl
Tundra Swan, photographed by David Thielen

Photo: David Thielen · Unsplash · Unsplash License (licence)

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Call and song

About the Tundra Swan

Huge white bird with a long elegant neck. North American “Whistling” Tundras have a mostly black bill, with a yellow spot near the eye; Eurasian “Bewick’s” have a more evenly divided black-and-yellow bill. Immatures dusky gray-brown with pink on bill. Easily confused with Whooper and Trumpeter Swans where their ranges overlap; see those species’ accounts. Breeds on ponds and tundra in far north. Winters in large flocks on fresh or saltwater. Forages in shallow, vegetated wetlands, reaching under the water for plants, and walks through corn stubble. Gives loud echoing bugles, often while in flight.

Species account: eBird.org, fetched 2025-12-26 · How these pages are made

Where it has been recorded

Recorded in 66 of the 253 countries we have eBird lists for. Each opens that country's checklist.

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