Alternative Names (Synonyms)

Names for newly-hatched

Names for non-breeding males or other colour-phases

References

Species Author

Major References

Aviculture references:
J23.13.w7
B7, B10.26.w2, B29, B30, B40, B94, B95, B96, B97, B108, B128.w4 B129
D1

• Wildlife and Countryside Directorate, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR)
• British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
• The Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
• Earthkind
• The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT)
• National Convention for the Welfare of Swans and Wildlife
• Swan Lifeline
• Swan Rescue Sanctuary
• Swan Sanctuary

• Waterfowl Management Guidelines
• Proceedings of the Waterfowl Information Network Conference 1999
• Wetlands, Industry and Wildlife
• London Waterfowl Project FAQ's
• Swan Sanctuary Code Of Practice

TAXA Group (where information has been collated for an entire group on a modular basis)

Parent Group

• Waterfowl
• Swans

Specific Needs Group referenced in Management Techniques

• Aggressive Birds (Category 2.) (D1)
• Grazing Waterfowl (D1)

Aviculture Information

Notes

• Swans are generally aggressive and territorial, particularly while breeding, and each pair should be maintained in a separate pen, away from other swans, geese and large ducks, although the pen may be shared with small ducks, as these are usually ignored by most swan pairs. Fences adjoining other pens should be solid or screened with vegetation to avoid injury from swans trying to fight each other through wire fencing, and should be as tall as the swans themselves, to prevent fighting over the top of the fence.
• Swans may be best kept on a large area of natural water containing aquatic vegetation, and the surrounding land. For a single pair, a pen of at least 400 square metres is suggested, of which half the area should be water and half grazing land. Banks should be at a shallow angle to allow easy entry to and exit from the water; this is particularly important if cygnets are to be parent reared. More than one pair may be kept in very large parks where each pair can establish a breeding territory. Swans appreciate water weed and grass, but other green foods such as lettuce and cabbage may be used as substitutes if necessary. They are relatively slow eaters and care should be taken in mixed enclosures that they get sufficient food. Natural food should be supplemented with extra green food, wheat and pellets; limited amounts of bread may also be given.
• Good amounts of vegetation should be provided for nest building, with cover available for early-nesting species. Parent hatching and rearing is usual. Swans are able to defend their young against most predators, and their highly-aquatic lifestyle also makes cygnets less vulnerable. Unlimited green food should be available for the cygnets.
• If hand-reared, cygnets should be kept in a brooder with a heat lamp (to give 92°F in the first week), with sufficient room for the birds to choose their own comfort zone. Access to water for a swim is appreciated; this may be in an appropriately sized bowl initially (e.g. while the brooder is cleaned out). Starter pellets, chopped green food and for the first few days chopped hard-boiled egg may be given, and grit should be available. If weather permits the cygnets may be kept outside in a pen with a pond by two to three weeks old. It is important to ensure unlimited green food is always available and that the cygnets do start feeding initially (see: Stimulating Feeding of Downies (Waterfowl)), as there is a risk of Starveout.

(B7, B10.26.w2, B29, B30, B40, B94, B95, B97, B108, B128.w4, D1).

Species-specific information:

• Tundra swans are hardy, their management is simple but a large area is preferred. A single bird may be kept in a mixed collection if the water area is large, but pairs are territorial and aggressive to other birds and humans, particularly when breeding, and should have a separate pen for breeding. May be fed wheat, pellets, green food, grass and bread: plenty of green food should be provided .
• These swans are generally difficult to breed in captivity; the whistling swan Cygnus columbianus columbianus may be easier to breed than the Bewick's swan Cygnus columbianus bewickii. Eggs are laid on a large pile of vegetation, May to end of June (Bewick's swan) or late April to end of June (Whistling swan).
• Cross-breeding with Cygnus olor - Mute swan, Cygnus buccinator - Trumpeter swan, Cygnus cygnus - Whooper swan has been reported (B97).

(J23.13.w7, B29, B30, B40, B96, B97, B129, D1)

Aviornis UK Ringing Scheme recommended average closed ring size: V 24.0mm (D8).

• Accommodation of Casualty Waterfowl
• Rearing of Birds - Artificial Rearing - Waterfowl considerations
• Catching and Handling of Waterfowl
• Feeding of Casualty Waterfowl
• Release of Casualty Waterfowl

Measurement & Weight

45-55 inches 115-140cm Bewick's swan Cygnus columbianus bewickii (B1,B3)

Cygnus columbianus bewickii 3.4-7.8kg (B1)

Cygnus columbianus bewickii 4.9-7.8kg average 6.4kg (B3); mean 14.1 lbs. (B8)

Cygnus columbianus bewickii 3.4-6.4kg average 5.0kg (B3); mean 12.5 lbs. (B8)

Cygnus columbianus bewickii 178g (B9)

Head

Bewick's swan Cygnus columbianus bewickii: Black with yellow above/behind nostrils.

Legs

Plumage

Newly-hatched Characteristics

Nest placement and structure

Egg clutches

Incubation

Hatching

Fledging

Sexual Maturity

Feeding Behaviour

Parental Behaviour

Stay with parents through the first winter and sometimes rejoin in their second and third winters.

Social Behaviour

Sexual Behaviour

Predation in Wild

Activity Patterns

Adults

Newly-hatched

Distribution and Movement (Migration etc.)

Cygnus columbianus bewickii from Kola Peninsula east throughout arctic north Siberia. Winters in western Europe, south of Caspian Sea and in eastern China, Korea, and Japan. Accidental Spitsbergen, Bear Island, Poland Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Yugoslavia, Greece, Israel, Iraq, Spain, Italy, Libya, Algeria. Rare vagrant Pakistan. (North east Asian population sometimes distinguished as Cygnus columbianus jankowskii)

Migratory, moving to lower latitudes for the winter.

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Habitat

Intraspecific variation

Conservation Status

Stable and not globally threatened (B1).

• This species is listed on Schedule 1 - Part I (Birds protected by special penalties: Notes on the revised schedules state "Birds protected by special penalties at all times") of the LUK2 - Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 of the United Kingdom. (W5.Oct01)

Captive Populations

Trade