Quick Answer
Yes, the tundra swan is a bird. The tundra swan (Cygnus columbianus) is a species of swan that breeds in the Arctic and subarctic regions of North America and Eurasia. As their name suggests, tundra swans nest on the tundra near pools of water. They are large, white waterfowl with black legs, feet and bills. Tundra swans are strong fliers and undertake long annual migrations between their Arctic breeding grounds and more southerly wintering sites. During migration and winter, they congregate in large flocks on lakes, marshes, ponds, reservoirs and estuaries. Tundra swans are herbivores and feed mainly on plant material. They are considered a natural gamebird in many regions.
What is a Tundra Swan?
The tundra swan is a large waterfowl species in the genus Cygnus of the family Anatidae. It has the following identifying features:
- Size: 100-145 cm long; 152-211 cm wingspan
- Plumage: Adults are entirely white in color, with a black bill, legs and feet
- Long, straight neck
- Black facial skin
- Rounded head shape
There are two subspecies of tundra swan:
- Bewick’s swan (C. c. bewickii) – the Eurasian form
- Whistling swan (C. c. columbianus) – the North American form
The two subspecies are mostly identical, with subtle differences in bill color and shape. Whistling swans have a more yellow bill with a small black knob, while Bewick’s swans have a bill that’s more black than yellow.
Description
Adult tundra swans have entirely white plumage, except for their black legs and feet. Their bill is mostly black, with a small patch of yellow near the eye. The bill of young cygnets is pinkish-gray, turning more black as they mature.
Tundra swans have a long, S-curved neck that is nearly the same length as their body. Their wingspan is quite large, ranging from 152-211 cm. They have rounded heads and no crest or other ornamentation on their head.
Males and females look nearly identical, although males tend to be slightly larger on average. Juveniles have some grayish-brown feathers mixed in with white for their first year.
Where Do Tundra Swans Live?
Tundra swans breed in the Arctic and subarctic tundra regions of Alaska, Canada, and Eurasia. Their breeding habitat consists of shallow freshwater ponds, marshes, wet meadows, and shorelines in the far north.
During winter, tundra swans migrate great distances to reach more temperate climes. North American tundra swans mainly winter along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, as far south as California and North Carolina. Eurasian birds winter from southern Europe to China and Japan.
On their migration routes and wintering grounds, tundra swans frequent wetlands such as large lakes, estuaries, bays, marshes and ponds. They roost on open water and feed in shallow wetlands.
Breeding Range
The tundra swan’s breeding range includes:
- Alaska
- Northern Canada
- Northeastern Siberia
- Northern Europe and Russia
They nest near wetlands on the open Arctic tundra. Their nests are large mounds of vegetation built on the ground near water.
Wintering Range
In winter, tundra swans migrate to:
- Atlantic coast of U.S. from Maryland to North Carolina
- Pacific coast from Alaska to California
- Great Lakes region
- Interior U.S. across the northern states
- Europe from the United Kingdom eastward
- Eastern China, Korea and Japan
Tundra Swan Migration
Tundra swans are strongly migratory birds. They breed during the short Arctic summer before migrating south to wintering grounds that have open water and sufficient food. Their annual migration covers thousands of kilometers.
Here are some key facts about tundra swan migration:
- They migrate in flocks of tens to hundreds of birds
- North American swans migrate in a V-formation over distances up to 4,600 km
- Eurasian swans migrate between 2,600 – 6,800 km between breeding and wintering areas
- Migration takes place at high altitudes, up to 7,800 m
- Some populations make nonstop transoceanic crossings of over 5,000 km
Tundra swans begin migrating north in late winter and spring (February to April). Fall migration back to winter grounds begins in mid-September through November. Unfavorable weather like storms can delay their migration.
Notable Migrations
- Pacific birds migrating to Japan stage at Izembek Lagoon in Alaska, with flocks up to 100,000 birds
- Eastern North American migrants winter along the Atlantic coast south to Chesapeake Bay
- Eurasian migrants cross the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea on their way between Arctic Russia and North Africa
Tundra Swan Diet
Tundra swans are almost entirely herbivorous. The bulk of their diet consists of plant material gathered from shallow waters. Their preferred foods include:
- Aquatic vegetation – roots, stems, leaves, shoots
- Algae
- Agricultural grains like corn and wheat – eaten especially during migration and winter
- Tubers, rhizomes
- Grasses
- Occasionally mollusks and insects
Tundra swans feed mainly by dipping their long necks underwater to reach food growing on the bottom. Sometimes they will submerge their entire body to reach food deeper down. Their bill is adapted for straining food like grass from the water.
On their breeding grounds, tundra swans will graze on grasses and sedges on shore. During winter they add more terrestrial plant material like grains and rhizomes to their diet. Small aquatic invertebrates are also eaten opportunistically.
Feeding Behavior
- Forage while swimming, dipping head and neck underwater
- Will upend and submerge entire body to feed deeper
- Use large bill to strain food from water
- Graze on land near breeding pools
- Feed cooperatively in flocks
Tundra Swan Habitat
Tundra swans occupy a variety of wetland habitats during their migratory cycle.
Breeding Habitat
During the summer nesting season, tundra swans require shallow freshwater Arctic wetlands. Specific breeding habitats include:
- Ponds
- Bogs
- Marshy edges of lakes
- River deltas
- Coastal lagoons and estuaries
They build large mounds of vegetation in or very close to shallow water sources.
Wintering Habitat
On their wintering grounds, tundra swans shift to more brackish and saline wetlands:
- Saltwater bays, estuaries and lagoons
- Coastal marshes
- Lake edges and wet fields
- River mouths
- Reservoirs and ponds
Shallow sites with submerged vegetation for feeding are essential.
Migration Stopover Habitat
On migration routes, tundra swans stop to rest and refuel at:
- Rivers
- Coastal marshes
- Lakes
- Agricultural fields
Tundra Swan Behavior
Seasonal Behaviors
- Breeding (summer) – nesting, rearing young
- Fall migration (September-November) – traveling in flocks to wintering areas
- Wintering (November-March) – foraging in wetlands, roosting
- Spring migration (February-April) – traveling back to breeding grounds
Daily Behaviors
- Foraging – Feeding underwater on aquatic vegetation for much of the day
- Resting – Roosting and sleeping on open water
- Preening – Using bill to tend to feathers
- Flying – Powerful, long-distance flight during migration
Social Behaviors
- Mate for life
- Strong family bonds – Parents and young stay together for almost a year
- Nest in loose colonies
- Travel in flocks of tens to thousands of birds
- Cooperative foraging
Tundra Swan Nesting and Reproduction
- Breeding season is late May to early July
- Nest is a large mound of vegetation on the ground near water
- Female lays 3-5 eggs
- Incubation is 32-34 days
- Young hatch covered in gray down
- Adults fiercely protective of nest and young
- Cygnets can fly at 4-6 months old
- Sexual maturity at 2-7 years old
Interesting nesting facts:
- Both male and female help build nest – it can measure over 1 m wide and 0.5 m tall
- Nest is reused and added to each breeding season
- Eggs hatch asynchronously over 1-2 days
- Cygnets imprint on their parents during hatching
- Parents lead cygnets to water within 24 hours of hatching
Young tundra swans stay with their parents through their first winter migration. Most mate for the first time at 3-4 years old.
Tundra Swan Species Classification
The tundra swan is classified in the following taxonomic hierarchy:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Anseriformes
- Family: Anatidae
- Genus: Cygnus
- Species: C. columbianus
Its closest relatives are the other swans in genus Cygnus, including the mute swan, trumpeter swan, and whooper swan.
There are two recognized subspecies:
- Whistling swan (C. c. columbianus)
- Bewick’s swan (C. c. bewickii)
Population and Conservation Status
- Global population estimate: ~200,000-250,000 individuals
- Population trend: Increasing
- IUCN status: Least concern
- CITES listing: Appendix II (international trade monitored)
Major threats and conservation issues:
- Climate change impacting Arctic breeding habitat
- Mercury accumulation from industrial pollution
- Collisions with power lines and wind turbines
- Lead poisoning from ingesting shot pellets
- Habitat loss on wintering grounds
But with an increasing population overall, tundra swan conservation outlook is currently stable. They are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the U.S.
Fun Facts About Tundra Swans
- Tundra swans are the smallest species of swan, but still quite large for a bird
- They fly in flocks in a V-formation, sometimes reaching over 100 km/hr
- The Latin name “Cygnus columbianus” means “Swan from Columbia”
- Their melodious calls sound like a bugle, giving them the nickname “whistling swan”
- Bewick’s swans are named after English naturalist Thomas Bewick
- Young swans, or cygnets, don’t gain full white plumage until 2 years old
- Tundra swans pair for life, reuniting each mating season
Conclusion
In conclusion, the tundra swan is definitively classified as a bird within the waterfowl family Anatidae. Some key evidence that tundra swans are birds includes:
- They possess feathers, two wings, a bill/beak, and lay hard-shelled eggs – characteristics unique to birds
- They exhibit powered flight and seasonal migration, abilities found only in birds
- Their scientific classification places them in the bird order Anseriformes
- They share many traits with other birds like nesting behavior, anatomy, and diet
- Ornithologists, biologists and all scientific authority recognize tundra swans as a distinct species of bird
So in summary, there is overwhelming evidence confirming that the tundra swan, with its large white body, long neck, distinct black and yellow bill, and far-reaching migratory habits, is definitively categorized as an Arctic-breeding bird species. They provide a iconic example of birds adapted to thrive in the extreme conditions of the high latitudes.