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Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae Chick Type : Precocial (Parental attendance) Trumpeter Swans fight with Mute Swans for the position of largest waterfowl in the World. There are only two species of swans native to North America, the other being the Tundra Swan. Currently, Trumpeters are found in Alaska and western Canada during the breeding season. They winter in the northeastern United States. Historically, this species used to breed in northwestern and central U.S. Their diet consists mostly of aquatic vegetation, but during the winter they also eat grain and grasses. The diet of their young includes some animal matter, such as insects and crustaceans. Nests are build on the ground or on beaver lodges. The clutch size is usually around 8 - 17 white colored eggs. Incubation time is around 32 - 37 days. In the 1800's and early 1900's, this species (among many other species) were over hunted, its habitat was drained and compounded with lead poisoning (from lead shot) of their young, the population dropped to less than 70 individuals in the lower 48 states (later, a large unknown population of them was discovered in Alaska). Since then, they have been given federal protection and help (Migratory Bird Treat Act of 1918, reintroduction programs) and have rebounded nicely. Populations are beginning to be established in several states with help from state wildlife agencies and the Trumpeter Swan Society. For example, Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources started reintroduction programs in the late 1980's, now there are around 2,000 Trumpeter Swans (as of 2004) living there. Usually bird bands are placed on the legs of birds, but swans get them on their neck! |
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