Swans are large waterfowl species, recognized for their graceful appearance, long, arching necks, and predominantly white plumage. These elegant birds are closely associated with aquatic environments.
General Global Distribution
Swans are found in temperate regions across both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. They are absent from tropical Asia, Central America, northern South America, and Africa. They commonly occur in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and southern South America.
Distribution by Species
The geographic range of swans varies considerably among different species.
The Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) is native to Eurasia and northern Africa. It has also established introduced populations in North America, Australasia, and southern Africa.
The Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) is native to North America, primarily in northwestern and central areas, including Alaska. Historically, their range extended further south into the United States.
The Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) has a circumpolar distribution, breeding across the Arctic and subarctic tundra of North America and Eurasia. This species includes two recognized forms: the Bewick’s swan in Eurasia and the Whistling swan in North America.
The Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) is an Eurasian species, breeding in the subarctic and arctic regions of Europe and Asia.
The Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) is native to Australia, including Tasmania, and inhabits wetlands in the southeastern and southwestern parts. Introduced populations are established in New Zealand.
South America hosts two swan species. The Black-necked Swan (Cygnus melancoryphus) is found in the southern continent, from Tierra del Fuego north to central Chile, Uruguay, and southern Brazil. The Coscoroba Swan (Coscoroba coscoroba) is present in central Argentina, southern Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, and the Falkland Islands.
Typical Habitats
Swans inhabit freshwater lakes, ponds, slow-moving rivers, marshes, and wetlands. They also use brackish or coastal waters, depending on the species. They favor areas with ample open water for swimming, foraging, and for their long take-offs and landings.
Shallow areas are important for foraging, allowing swans to reach submerged vegetation with their long necks. Nearby dense vegetation provides cover for nesting and shelter. Swans are primarily herbivorous, feeding on leaves, stems, roots, and tubers of aquatic plants.
Migration Patterns
Many swan species migrate between breeding and wintering areas. This seasonal movement is driven by changes in food availability and climate conditions. Swans migrate from northern breeding grounds to warmer southern regions when waters freeze and food becomes scarce.
Tundra Swans migrate long distances from their Arctic breeding grounds in Canada and Alaska to wintering areas along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of the United States. Whooper Swans travel from breeding sites in Scandinavia, Iceland, and Russia to winter in parts of Europe, including the UK. Some populations, like certain Mute Swans in Western Europe, can be sedentary if food remains available year-round.