Whooper swan Cygnus cygnus

Large white waterbird with yellow and black bill marking

Habitat: freshwater, estuaries and fields

Uncommon winter visitor to the UK, breeding in Scandinavia and Iceland

Large swan with straight neck, yellow base to black bill that extends forward to form a clear point; flat bill profile

Swims, feeds by up-ending, walks on land; laboured flight with noisy wingbeats

Eats grass, grain and roots

Nest is a mound of vegetation at water's edge

1 brood May – June; 5-6 creamy-white eggs