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Tundra Swan

Cygnus columbianus

UncommonBird
Illustration of Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus)

The Tundra Swan is North America's most abundant native swan, breeding on arctic and subarctic tundra. It is slightly smaller than the Trumpeter Swan and usually shows a small yellow spot at the base of the bill. Its bugling calls heard from high-flying migrating flocks are an evocative sound of autumn and spring.

Habitat
Arctic tundra in summer; shallow lakes and estuaries in winter
Diet
Aquatic plants, tubers, and grains
How common
Uncommon

Best time to see a Tundra Swan

The best time to see a Tundra Swan is October–January, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 11,106 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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