Trumpeter Swans!

Trumpeter Swans

            Trumpeter Swans are the biggest type of swan.  Their beaks and feet are just black.  Adults can be up to 54-65 inches long.  Large males can be up to 71 inches long or even more.  Male Trumpeter Swans can weigh up to 26 pounds, and female trumpeter swans can be up to 21 pounds.  The Trumpeter Swans wing span can be up to 72 inches long (6 feet).  A male swan is called a cob.  A female swan is called a pen, and a baby swan is called a cygnet. 

            Trumpeter Swans get their name from the sound that they make.  Trumpeter Swans make a sound like a trumpet.  They usually trumpet when trying to attract a mate.

            Females usually lay their eggs in late April.  She could lay 3-12 eggs.  The eggs are usually 3 inches wide, and 5 inches long.  The eggs weigh about 11 oz.  It takes 32-37 days for the eggs to hatch.  The cygnets can swim two days after they hatch.

            Trumpeter swans usually live by water.  Their breeding habitats are large shallow ponds, undisturbed lakes, wetlands, and wide slow rivers.  Trumpeter Swans are mostly found in central North America.  In the winter they migrate to Southern Canada, The Red Rock Lakes area in Montana, northwest Washington, and sometimes as far as Texas, and southern California. 

            Trumpeter Swans eat things that are found near water.  Cygnets eat small fish, insects, fish eggs, small crustaceans, and plants.  Adults eat foliage, seeds, tubers, water lilies, and insects. 

            The Trumpeter Swan is a state endangered species, but it is not listed as endangered or threatened.  It is protected from hunting though.  Trumpeter Swans have many predators.  The predators for Trumpeter Swans eggs are Ravens, Raccoons, Wolverines, American Black Bears, Coyotes, Gray Wolves, and the River Otter.  The predators for young cygnets are the Snapping Turtle, California Gulls, the Great Horned Owl, and the American Mink.  Larger cygnets and adults are threatened by the Golden Eagle, Bobcats, Red Foxes, and Coyotes.

            Trumpeter Swans are very beautiful birds.  They are interesting, and fun to learn about! 

Sources Cited

Hoff, Mary.  The Wild World of Animals-Swans.  Creative Education.  Minnesota.                2006.

Trumpeter Swans.  Wikipedia.  Web.  April 9, 2013.  
Done By Ella