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Bewick's Swan

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description Bewick's Swan Overview

Bewick's Swan is a migratory waterfowl and a Eurasian subspecies of the Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus). It breeds in the Arctic tundra of northern Russia and winters in Western Europe and East Asia. The bird is distinguished by its relatively small size for a swan and the unique, variable yellow and black patterns on its bill, which researchers historically used to identify individual birds. They primarily feed on aquatic vegetation and leftover grains in agricultural fields during winter.

help Bewick's Swan FAQ

How do you identify a Bewick's Swan?

The Bewick's Swan is a small white swan most easily identified by the unique pattern of yellow and black on its beak. The amount of yellow varies from bird to bird, and researchers have historically used these distinct bill patterns to identify individual swans in the wild.

Is the Bewick's Swan a distinct species from the Tundra Swan?

Taxonomically, the Bewick's Swan is currently classified as a Eurasian subspecies of the Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus bewickii). It is the Eastern Hemisphere counterpart to the North American population of the Tundra Swan.

What is the migration route of the Bewick's Swan?

Bewick's Swans breed in the remote Arctic tundra of northern Russia during the summer. In the autumn, they undertake a massive migration to wintering grounds in Western Europe, famously stopping at wetlands like the Slimbridge Wetland Centre in the UK.

Who extensively studied Bewick's Swans using their bill patterns?

The famous British ornithologist Sir Peter Scott extensively studied Bewick's Swans at the Slimbridge Wildfowl Trust in the mid-20th century. He realized that the specific yellow and black markings on each swan's bill were unique, allowing him to track individual birds and family groups for years.

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