Types of Swans

In our wonderful world, few creatures capture our imagination and evoke a sense of serene beauty quite like the swan. Graceful and majestic are two words which come to mind when describing these magnificent birds. Swans have long held a special place in human culture, from ancient myths to modern fairy tales and ballets. Their elegant presence on calm waters and tranquil lakes has inspired poets, artists and nature enthusiasts for centuries. However, beyond their enchantment lies a fascinating realm of diversity, as swans come in an array of types, each possessing unique characteristics and habitats. 

When on the water they glide through with apparent ease and grace. Although out of the water they do look a bit clumsy with their giant feet. Also taking off and landing does makes you wonder how do they manage, as they are such an enormous bird. If you’re lucky enough to witness it, the pure energy is palpable and immense, you can hear the clatter of their big feet on the water, like horses in a gallop, and the noise of the wings as the beat, like a whooshing noise, they do need a long enough runway to enable them to lift their heavy bodies, but what a sight to behold, a definite WOW moment as you can see from the images taken below.

Mute Swan taking flight (Photographs taken by David Boardman)

Interesting Swan facts; 

• Male swans are known as Cobs, and female swans are known as Pens and young are called Cygnets
• A group of swans are called a Bevy or a flock, or a wedge when in flight, due to the shape they make in the sky
• Swans are monogamous and do pair for life, and will stay together until death. Although there are always exceptions
• They can be territorial, especially during mating season and when they have young, this is more so for the Mute swan who are renowned for their aggressive behaviour 
• The Swan song, comes from folklore, as it was thought that the most beautiful song the swan sings is just before its death, and now given as a turn of phrase for someone’s final gesture, performance or retirement

Although I knew at least five of these species, whilst researching for this article, I had not realised that there were so few species of Swans. 

As you can see from the list below I have eight, however the last has a caveat as you will see further ahead.

In the meantime enjoy finding out in a little more detail about these magnificent birds. 

1. Mute swan
2. Whooper swan 
3. Bewick swan
4. Whistling Swan
5. Trumpeter swan
6. Black swan
7. Black-necked swan
8. Coscoroba Swan

Mute swans swimming  (Photograph taken by Tracey Reed)

(Photograph taken by Tracey Reed)

1. Mute Swan (Scientific name – Cygnus olor) 

Among the diverse tapestry of swans species the mute swan stands as an iconic emblem of Grace and Elegance. Native to Europe and parts of Asia, this majestic bird boasts a snowy white plumage that glows brilliantly against the serene backdrop of lakes and Rivers. Contrary to its name, the mutes one is far from voiceless; it does omit a range of sounds from the resonant trumpeting calls that punctuates territorial disputes to the gentle cooing that underscores its interactions with its mate and young. Known for its gracefully arched neck and distinctive Orange bill with a black knob the mutes 

Swans hold a prominent place in European folklore and heraldry, often symbolising loyalty and beauty. Known as the Royal bird since around 1189, and used as a sign of wealth and traded by landowners and gentry. Their images have also been used in heraldry for coats of arms.  

Although beloved to the native homelands, they have become widely disliked in the areas which they have been introduced to, as they do have a negative impact on the native wildlife. 

Measurements	Length – 140 -160 cm Wingspan – 208 – 238 cm Weight – 10 – 12kg
Native to	Europe, & Asia, Feral populations elsewhere such as USA
Habitat	Lakes, rivers, wetlands, canals
Diet	Aquatic vegetation, insects & snails

2. Whooper Swan (Scientific name – Cygnus cygnus)

In the northern reaches of the globe, where icy landscapes stretch as far as the eye can see, the Whooper swan emerges as a symbol of Arctic splendour. 

This remarkable swan species, named for its resonant and haunting “Whooping” calls, transverses vast distances during its annual migrations, connecting the distant Arctic breeding grounds to the milder wintering areas of Europe and Asia. 

Distinguished by its long, graceful neck, striking black bill with a large yellow base, and elegant white plumage, the Whooper swan is an embodiment of natural beauty against the stark backdrop of the frozen tundras and reflective waters. The sheer fact that this swan has the ability to thrive in the most challenging environment on Earth shows its magnificence and resilience.  

Whooper Swan Landing 

Measurements	Length – 140-160 cms Wingspan – 205 – 235 cm Weight – 9 -11kgs
Native to	Breeding grounds in Iceland, Winters in Europe & Asia
Habitat	Estuaries, wetlands, lakes
Diet	Aquatic plants, grass, grain, small fish, frogs, worms

As you can see from the images above the Whooper and the Bewick swan are both very similar. However the Whooper is bigger and the yellow on their bill forms a ‘V’ shape, whereas the yellow on the Bewick is smaller. 

3. Bewick Swan (Scientific name – Cygnus columbianus bewickii)

Nestled within the pristine landscape of the Arctic tundra, these elegant swans spend their summers and breed. The birds were named after a famous bird and animal engraver and Illustrator, Thomas Bewick. 

They are also known for their amazing migration journey from the Arctic tundra to their wintering grounds of Europe and Asia, and they return to the same place each year, covering around 2500 miles. 

These swans are one of the smallest, and are similar to the Whooper as seen above, however the differences are easy to spot once you know what they are. 

Measurements	Length – 115 – 127 cm Wingspan – 170 – 195 cm Weight – 5.5 – 6kgs
Native to	Sibera migration to Europe & Asia for wintering
Habitat	Wetlands, Estuaries
Diet	Aquatic plants & grass, Also feed in fields and eat potatoes, grain,

4. Whistling Swan also known as the Tundra swan – (Scientific name –  Cygnus columbianus)

This beautiful swan gains its name from the sound its wings make when beating and not as you may have thought through its call. Known as the Tundra swan, as is the Bewick also called due to the locations of their breeding grounds. 

They grace the vast expanses of North America during its migratory journeys, captivating all who witness its presence. With its long, slender neck, pristine white plumage, and striking black bill, the Whistling swan presents an image of refined elegance. 

Measurements	Length – 120 – 147 cm Wingspan – 168 cm Weight – 6.5 – 9.5kgs
Native to	Arctic tundra region of coastal Alaska, and northern CanadaWinters both the pacific & Atlantic coastline & Great lakes
Habitat	Lakes, Marshes, Estuaries
Diet	Aquatic plants, roots, leaves, grain, aquatic insects & larvae

Blue – Summer breeding

Red – Winter 

5. Trumpeter Swan (Scientific Name – Cygnus buccinator)

The Trumpeter Swan is North America’s largest native wetland bird. Renowned for its regal appearance this swan features a snowy white plumage with an elegant long neck, which like the Mute swan, forms a beautiful ‘S’ curve and has a full black bill and black legs. 

Named after its resonant trumpeting call that resonates across tranquil waters, which is crucial for the social interactions these birds have. Historically these beautiful swans faced extinction due to hunting and habitat loss, however successful conservation efforts have led to a population recovery in recent decades. These swans follow a migratory pattern with the northern population moving south for warmer climbs during the winter.  

Measurements	Length – 138 – 182 cm Wingspan – up to 300 cm Weight – up to 12kg
Native to	North America
Habitat	Coastal bays, inland lakes, wetlands
Diet	Aquatic plant matter, on occasion small fish & fish eggs

Range map of the Trumpeter Swan

6. Black Swan (Scientific name – Cygnus atratus)

The beautiful and distinctive Black swan is a waterfowl species native to Australia and parts of New Zealand. Renowned for its striking and unconventional appearance, it stands out due to its entirely black plumages, accentuated by a bright red bill and a white wing tip that becomes visible during flight. While its name may suggest it has a uniformed colouration, when observed very closely and depending on the light you may see variations of a blue – green hue in their feathers. 

The black swan’s unique appearance has made it an iconic symbol in culture and folklore.

Due to its adaptability and charismatic presence it has been introduced to countries throughout the world, often in captivity, however they are always escapees and some have found new homes in the wild.   

Measurements	Length – 110 – 142 cm Wingspan – 157 – 182 cm Weight – 3.7 – 9kg
Native to	Australia, New Zealand, Vagrant to New Guinea, Other area across the world as either escapees and self rewilded, or as ornamental collections / Captivity
Habitat	Wetlands , waterways or salt water area
Diet	Aquatic vegetation, occasionally graze on land

Range map of the Black Swan

7. Black-necked swan – (Scientific name – Cygnus melancoryphus)

The Black-necked swan is a captivating waterfowl species and is the largest waterfowl to be indigenous to South America. Named for its distinctive contrast between the jet black colour of its neck and its immaculate white plumage, this swan is a remarkable sight to behold. The contrast extends to its bill, which is bright red with a black tip as seen in the above image. 

Measurements	Length – 102 – 124 cm Wingspan – 135 – 177 cm Weight – 3.5 – 8.7kgs
Native to	South America
Habitat	Estuaries, lakes, lagoons, marshes
Diet	Aquatic vegetation & farmland, meadows, pastures vegetation

8. Coscoroba Swan (Scientific name – Coscoroba coscoroba)

At the beginning of this article I did say that there was a caveat, well this bird is it.  The Coscoroba Swan, although it is called a swan it is actually not a true swan. There has been much debate and the general thinking is that these birds are from an early branch of the common ancestor leading to true geese and swans.  As you can see from the image above, its body is like that of a small swan, but they  have a short neck, the head is quite goose-like and the bill is more like a duck. Also is of a different genus to all other swans, apparently on a molecular level it has sister links to the cape barren goose. Either way, for the purposes of the article I have included it. 

Measurements	Length – 87.5 – 112.5 cm Wingspan 155 – 160 cm Weight – 3.8 – 4.6kg
Native to	South America
Habitat	Swamps, lagoons, lakes, ponds
Diet	Aquatic vegetation, aquatic insects, fish eggs, crustaceans

In summary;

I hope you have enjoyed reading my article on “Types of Swans.” We have seen that quite amazingly there are only a few species across the world, and there could have been less but for some great conservation. 

Wherever you are in the world I hope you get a chance to see and admire and enjoy your native swans or the ones which may migrate for winter. 

If you love white birds then why not take a look at another article I wrote on this subject just follow this link; https://www.birdfinder.co/all-white-birds/

Birdfinder. co are keen to have your feedback or comments.