Belongs to: swans

Compare with: mute swan
whooper swan

Bewicks swan Cygnus columbianus

Birds of Conservation Concern Amber List


Best time to see: Oct to late Mar

Key facts

Smallest swan with yellow and black bill; winter visitor to UK

Habitat: freshwater, estuaries and fields

Winter visitor to Britain arriving from Oct – March from Siberia

Recognition

Small white swan; black bill has truncated yellow area at base, concave bill profile

Swims; up-ends to feed; also grazes in goose-like fashion

Eats grass, grain and roots; laboured flight with fast wing beats

Lifecycle

Nest is a mound of vegetation; breeds in Siberia

1 brood June – July ; 4 creamy-white eggs

  • Main photo

Photo ©