Yellowstone National Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including several species of swans. The most common swans found in Yellowstone are the Trumpeter Swan and the Tundra Swan. These large, white waterfowl have long necks and can be seen floating gracefully on the lakes and rivers of the park. Understanding what swan species inhabit Yellowstone provides insight into the diverse avian life that calls this iconic national park home.
Trumpeter Swan
The Trumpeter Swan is the largest native waterfowl species in North America. These swans have an all-white plumage and black legs and feet. Adults can reach up to 4.5 feet long and have a wingspan over 7 feet. As their name suggests, Trumpeter Swans are known for having a loud, trumpet-like call.
Trumpeter Swans were once on the brink of extinction in the early 20th century. Habitat loss and overhunting severely reduced their numbers across North America. Conservation efforts and reintroduction programs have helped bring Trumpeter Swans back from the edge. Their population has rebounded significantly.
Yellowstone provides important nesting and wintering habitat for Trumpeter Swans. They can be seen year-round in areas of the park such as the Lamar Valley and Yellowstone Lake. The peak season to observe Trumpeter Swans in Yellowstone is during the spring and fall migrations. Several hundred Trumpeter Swans stop over in the park during migration to feed and rest.
Breeding
Those that stay to breed nest in the same areas they winter in Yellowstone. Nests are large mounds of vegetation built along the edges of lakes, marshes, and ponds. Females lay 3-12 eggs that hatch after an incubation period of 32-37 days. Cygnets are able to fly after about 4-5 months.
Diet
Trumpeter Swans are almost entirely herbivorous. They feed heavily on aquatic vegetation found below or near the water’s surface. This includes algae, grasses, sedges, and submerged roots and tubers. They will occasionally eat grains in agricultural fields during winter. Their long neck allows them to reach food sources in deeper waters.
Tundra Swan
The Tundra Swan is a migratory swan species that breeds in the Arctic tundra and winters in wetlands across the lower 48 United States. These white swans have black legs, feet, and bills. They are slightly smaller than Trumpeter Swans but still large birds, with wingspans near 6 feet.
Tundra Swans make an exceptionally long migration, traveling up to 3,000 miles between their Arctic breeding grounds and more southerly wintering areas. They migrate through and winter in Yellowstone from October through April as their northerly habitats freeze over.
Prime spots to see Tundra Swans in Yellowstone are the Madison River, Firehole River, and various geothermal pools. They congregate in large flocks on the smaller bodies of water that remain unfrozen during winter. Visitors can often hear the subtle honking of Tundra Swans as flocks pass overhead.
Breeding
Tundra Swans do not breed in Yellowstone, as their breeding habitat is much farther north above the tree line in Alaska, Canada, and Russia. Nests consist of mounds of vegetation along marshy tundra ponds and lakes. Females lay 2-6 eggs that incubate for 29-31 days until hatching. Cygnets follow their parents south during the fall migration.
Diet
The diet of Tundra Swans consists almost entirely of vegetative aquatic matter, similar to Trumpeter Swans. They feed heavily on roots, stems, leaves, and seeds of plants found in shallow wetland waters along their migration routes and wintering grounds. Tundra Swans are able to plunge their long necks into the water to reach submerged vegetation. They also graze on grasses and agricultural grains in fields.
Other Swan Species
While Trumpeter and Tundra are the two main swan species found in Yellowstone, a couple other vagrant swan species have been spotted in the park on rare occasions:
- Mute Swan – This non-native species is sometimes seen in the park after escaping from captivity elsewhere.
- Whooper Swan – A rare Eurasian species that occasionally wanders into Alaska and the Pacific Northwest during migration.
However, neither Mute nor Whooper Swans have established breeding populations in Yellowstone. Trumpeter and Tundra Swans are the only regular swan species.
Threats and Conservation
Swans face a number of threats both in Yellowstone and throughout their range:
- Habitat degradation – Draining of wetlands and pollution reduces habitat for feeding and nesting.
- Lead poisoning – Swans can ingest toxic lead pellets from hunting ammunition when they feed.
- Climate change – Changes in water availability, weather patterns, and temperatures impact breeding and migration.
- Collisions – Swans frequently collide with power lines and other manmade structures.
Conservation efforts in Yellowstone focus on protecting critical swan habitat like lakes, rivers, and ponds. Public education helps reduce lead poisoning incidents. The park also works to minimize disturbances to swan nesting and feeding areas. Continued efforts are needed to offset habitat losses and increased extreme weather events.
Conclusion
The Trumpeter Swan and Tundra Swan are the main swan species found within Yellowstone National Park. Trumpeter Swans live year-round, nesting and wintering in habitats like the Lamar Valley. Tundra Swans pass through Yellowstone during their fall and spring migrations between the Arctic and the southern U.S. Both species face a number of ongoing conservation threats. Protecting wetland habitats and reducing lead exposure remain priorities for sustaining Yellowstone’s iconic swans. Their graceful presence adds to the diverse splendor of the park’s natural landscape.