ARCTIC SWAN ARRIVAL
We would like to announce the arrival of the
BEWICK'S SWAN to the JACK MINER BIRD SANCTUARY. The happy couple are new to the Sanctuary and will be on display for all to see.
BEWICK'S SWAN to the JACK MINER BIRD SANCTUARY. The happy couple are new to the Sanctuary and will be on display for all to see.
BEWICK'S SWAN
Description: Smaller than other northern swans, with a shorter body and shorter bill than the closely related Whistling swan. Typically has yellow only at the sides of the bill, feet and legs black, eye dark brown. Bewick’s swan is now considered to be merely a race of Whistling Swan.
Field Identification:
Length 115-140cm (45-55 in).
Males usually large than females.
In Flight: Usual swan shape, but is smaller and stockier, with shorter neck and body. It has a rather quick wing action. More agile at take-off and landing than Whooper dropping on to water at steeper angle and rising with little foot-pattering.
Voice: Calls are a higher pitch and more yelping. Usual flight call faster and more yelping, but softer and less bugling than Whooper, a low ‘hoo-hoo-hoo’.
Habits: Highly gregarious outside breeding season. Arrives on breeding ground from mid May to early June, selecting territory in coastal tundra of Arctic Siberia. Nest sites on dry hummocks in open tundra, by rivers and estuaries, often in well-scattered colonies. Large flocks form on winter grounds, feeding in shallow water or by grazing in low-lying fields. They are very noisy in winter, flock keeping up constant low babbling when on water and indulging in greeting displays.
Habitat: This swan likes to breed in low-lying open grassy or swampy tundra with scattered pools, lakes and rivers.
Population: Despite being protected throughout nearly the whole of its range, small numbers are regularly shot. Western populations regularly counted European winter quarters, estimated at 16,000 birds but numbers vary according to breeding success.
Field Identification:
Length 115-140cm (45-55 in).
Males usually large than females.
In Flight: Usual swan shape, but is smaller and stockier, with shorter neck and body. It has a rather quick wing action. More agile at take-off and landing than Whooper dropping on to water at steeper angle and rising with little foot-pattering.
Voice: Calls are a higher pitch and more yelping. Usual flight call faster and more yelping, but softer and less bugling than Whooper, a low ‘hoo-hoo-hoo’.
Habits: Highly gregarious outside breeding season. Arrives on breeding ground from mid May to early June, selecting territory in coastal tundra of Arctic Siberia. Nest sites on dry hummocks in open tundra, by rivers and estuaries, often in well-scattered colonies. Large flocks form on winter grounds, feeding in shallow water or by grazing in low-lying fields. They are very noisy in winter, flock keeping up constant low babbling when on water and indulging in greeting displays.
Habitat: This swan likes to breed in low-lying open grassy or swampy tundra with scattered pools, lakes and rivers.
Population: Despite being protected throughout nearly the whole of its range, small numbers are regularly shot. Western populations regularly counted European winter quarters, estimated at 16,000 birds but numbers vary according to breeding success.