Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus)

 

• HABITAT - Their breeding habitat is northern tundrsa lakes, ponds and arctic river deltas. During migration and winter mainly on shallow lakes, wide slow-moving rivers, and coastal estuaries on the Pacific (Washington, Oregon and California) and atlantic coastal areas (around Virginia, North Carolina and Delaware). Occasionally they can be seen in the eastern Great Lakes.
• DIET - Tundra Swans are mainly stems, seeds, and roots of aquatic plants. In the winter, they may resort to agricultural grains.
• FACTS - Tundra Swans are also called Whister Swans. It one of the two native swans in North America and is smaller than the other native, the Trumpeter Swan.
• Tundra Swans in Eurasia are called Bewick's swans (Cygnus bewickii) and are sometimes considered as the same species.
• Tundra Swabs are increasingly dependent on agricultural crops to supplement their winter diet, as aquatic vegetation in their winter habitat dwindles due to habitat destruction and water pollution.