Whooper Swan

Cygnus cygnus

The whooper swan is a large white swan, bigger than a Bewick’s swan. It has a long thin neck, which it usually holds erect, and black legs.

Its black bill has a large triangular patch of yellow on it. It is mainly a winter visitor to the UK from Iceland, although a couple of pairs nest in the north. The estuaries and wetlands it visits on migration and for winter roosts need protection. Its winter population and small breeding numbers make it an Amber List species.

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Discover more about the Whooper Swan

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Related species

Greylag Goose

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When to see

You can see Whooper Swans during the winter, as they spend their winters here in the UK.

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Where to see

You can look for whooper swans in fields, wetlands and estuaries where they will be foraging for food. 

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Did you know?

The name of this species is reference to it's 'whooping' call. 

Dolphin Icon Blue
Related species

Greylag Goose

Binoculars Icon Blue
When to see

You can see Whooper Swans during the winter, as they spend their winters here in the UK.

Map Icon Blue
Where to see

You can look for whooper swans in fields, wetlands and estuaries where they will be foraging for food. 

Book Icon Blue
Did you know?

The name of this species is reference to it's 'whooping' call. 

Dolphin Icon Blue
Related species

Greylag Goose

Binoculars Icon Blue
When to see

You can see Whooper Swans during the winter, as they spend their winters here in the UK.

Map Icon Blue
Where to see

You can look for whooper swans in fields, wetlands and estuaries where they will be foraging for food. 

Book Icon Blue
Did you know?

The name of this species is reference to it's 'whooping' call. 

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