Tundra swans already seen
Photo: Arne Ader
Translation: Liis
Whooper swans and tundra swans at Matsalu.
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Tundra swan
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Väikeluik
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Tundra swans and whooper swans are on their way to the resting places on the shores that they use each autumn. A couple of thousands come as passing migrants, and their winter quarters are in the wetlands of the Netherlands, Ireland, UK, Germany and Denmark. In Estonia the tundra swan winters irregularly and in small numbers, but in warm winters up to fifty wintering birds have been registered. The tundra swans, smaller than whooper swans, can reach down to food in water to a depth of up to 60 cm, and the availability of food for them is largely determined by the water levels in autumn.
How to know the tundra swan from its larger relative the whooper swan? It is smaller than the whooper swan, rather goose than swan size. The yellow colour of the beak isn’t as noticeable as for the whooper swan and from a distance the beak of the tundra swan rather looks black.
How to know the tundra swan from its larger relative the whooper swan? It is smaller than the whooper swan, rather goose than swan size. The yellow colour of the beak isn’t as noticeable as for the whooper swan and from a distance the beak of the tundra swan rather looks black.
For information: the beak patterns of whooper swans and tundra swans are characteristic for each individual bird, so everyone has its own “face”. Arne’s photo shows nicely who is who.
The calls of the tundra swans sound like “clonking” or “barking“; the resounding trumpeting of the whooper swans is more widely heard.
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