BirdForum is the net's largest birding community, dedicated to wild birds and birding, and is absolutely FREE! You are most welcome to register for an account, which allows you to take part in lively discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
[[Image:Bewicks_Swan.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|praby|praby}}]]
==Identification==
==Identification==
48-55" (1.2-1.4 m).
48-55" (1.2-1.4 m).
Line 13:
Line 12:
Holds neck straight up, unlike [[Mute Swan]], which bends its neck in a graceful curve.
Holds neck straight up, unlike [[Mute Swan]], which bends its neck in a graceful curve.
+
[[Image:Bewicks_Swan.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Bewick's Swan<br />Photo by {{user|praby|praby}}<br />Ibsley, [[Hampshire]], December 2003]]
==Distribution==
==Distribution==
Birds from European [[Russia]] east to the Taymyr Peninsula migrate across the White Sea and Baltic to winter in North-Western [[Europe]] from [[Denmark]] and north [[Germany]] to [[Belgium]] and in parts of [[England]] and [[Ireland]]. Small numbers winter in north-west [[France]] and in the [[Camargue]]. Main passage periods are March-April and October-November. Wintering sites are usually traditionally used areas but in severe weather there may be considerable wandering. In the Western Palearctic breeds only on the coasts of Arctic [[Russia]], on Ostrov Kolguyev and Novaya Zemlya.
Birds from European [[Russia]] east to the Taymyr Peninsula migrate across the White Sea and Baltic to winter in North-Western [[Europe]] from [[Denmark]] and north [[Germany]] to [[Belgium]] and in parts of [[England]] and [[Ireland]]. Small numbers winter in north-west [[France]] and in the [[Camargue]]. Main passage periods are March-April and October-November. Wintering sites are usually traditionally used areas but in severe weather there may be considerable wandering. In the Western Palearctic breeds only on the coasts of Arctic [[Russia]], on Ostrov Kolguyev and Novaya Zemlya.
Line 18:
Line 18:
Recorded as a vagrant north to Svalbard and Bear Island, to most mainland European countries and south to [[Cyprus]], [[North Africa]] and [[Jordan]].
Recorded as a vagrant north to Svalbard and Bear Island, to most mainland European countries and south to [[Cyprus]], [[North Africa]] and [[Jordan]].
==Taxonomy==
==Taxonomy==
-
Includes subspecies ''bewickii'' often elevated to species status as Bewick's Swan. The North American form is then known as Whistling Swan.
+
Includes subspecies ''bewickii'' which some have elevated to species status as Bewick's Swan (see [http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=136668 this thread]). The North American form is then known as Whistling Swan.
==Habitat==
==Habitat==
Breeds on pools and lakes in areas of open swampy tundra, sometimes along slow-flowing rivers or on sheltered sea-coasts. On passage on lakes and rivers, sometimes on coasts, and in winter in wetland areas with open water and often flooded fields. These long-established wintering grounds may not be occupied for the entire winter but may be used as a base from which the birds look for new feeding areas.
Breeds on pools and lakes in areas of open swampy tundra, sometimes along slow-flowing rivers or on sheltered sea-coasts. On passage on lakes and rivers, sometimes on coasts, and in winter in wetland areas with open water and often flooded fields. These long-established wintering grounds may not be occupied for the entire winter but may be used as a base from which the birds look for new feeding areas.
==Behaviour==
==Behaviour==
-
Nesting: 4-6 creamy-white eggs placed on a large mound of grass and moss on an island or beside a marshy tundra lake.
+
====Breeding====
+
The 4-6 creamy-white eggs are placed on a large mound of grass and moss on an island or beside a marshy tundra lake.
Birds from European Russia east to the Taymyr Peninsula migrate across the White Sea and Baltic to winter in North-Western Europe from Denmark and north Germany to Belgium and in parts of England and Ireland. Small numbers winter in north-west France and in the Camargue. Main passage periods are March-April and October-November. Wintering sites are usually traditionally used areas but in severe weather there may be considerable wandering. In the Western Palearctic breeds only on the coasts of Arctic Russia, on Ostrov Kolguyev and Novaya Zemlya.
Includes subspecies bewickii which some have elevated to species status as Bewick's Swan (see this thread). The North American form is then known as Whistling Swan.
Breeds on pools and lakes in areas of open swampy tundra, sometimes along slow-flowing rivers or on sheltered sea-coasts. On passage on lakes and rivers, sometimes on coasts, and in winter in wetland areas with open water and often flooded fields. These long-established wintering grounds may not be occupied for the entire winter but may be used as a base from which the birds look for new feeding areas.
Welcome to BirdForum.
