Jan. 15, 2017 - Tundra Swans

Early last December I visited Brownsville, MN, to see the annual gathering of Tundra Swans on the Mississippi River. This is a major stopover area as they head for their wintering grounds along the East Coast. Migration was late this year so not many swans were there yet. Normally, this area would be covered with swans.

SwanTundralargeflockBrownsville20161205

Tundra Swans are the most numerous and widespread swans in North America. They are large birds, 47 to 58 inches long. They nest high on the Arctic Tundra. A mated pair of Tundra Swans will stay together for life.

SwanTundrapairBrownsville20161205

Tundra Swans are spectacular in flight, with a wing span of 6 to 7 feet.

SwanTundraflightBrownsville20161205

Here’s a family of swans. The adult is the all-white bird and the four other birds with gray heads and necks and pink bills are the juveniles.

SwanTundrafamilygroupBrownsville20161205

This is another family of swans with two adults and three juveniles. When sleeping, they rest their necks on their backs and tuck their bills under their wings. Notice that one of them stays alert to watch for danger.

SwanTundragroupsleepingBrownsville20161205

This swan is standing on a Muskrat house.

SwanTundraMuskrathouseBrownsville20161205