Bird of the Week – Trumpeter Swan
Alaska’s biggest bird by weight, the Trumpeter Swan:
Trumpeter Swan, Creamer’s Refuge, Spring 2011
At 23 pounds, with a wing span of nearly seven feet, this is one Big Bird. Their distinctive bugling call is one of WC’s favorite sounds of Spring. The species was nearly extirpated in the Eastern half of the U.S. by the feather trade, but has made a steady recovery.
While there are certainly still Alaska waterfowl WC could post, it’s time for a break from the pond and lake crowd. We’ll change bird families next week.
For more bird photos, please visit Frozen Feather Images.
Love seeing those birds. There have been swan at the Creamer’s Wildlife Refuge at different times this summer, unusual that, and there was one there today. Can’t miss that mass of blazing white.
One of my favorite sights, ever, was a pair of swans on the East River, which I saw from Greenpoint. I’ve also enjoyed seeing swans at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one of these enormous trumpeters.
We have a difference of opinion on why the male swan is called a cob. Let the bloodbath begin.
http://www.stanley-park-swans.com/cgi-bin/ask/index.pl?read=5577
FROM WIKIANSWERS-A Male Swan is called a Cob, from the Middle English (that is, English between 1066 and 1500) word Cobbe, meaning leader of a group.
The Word Swan comes form the Indo- European root Swen, to sing.
The Trumpeter Swan is the largest waterfowl species native to North America. Most Trumpeters weigh 21-30 pounds, although large males may exceed 35 pounds. The male is called a cob; the female is called a pen. With a wingspan over 7 feet, these snow-white birds are truly spectacular. Standing on the ground, an adult Trumpeter stands about 4 feet high.
You can buy or rent swans for weddings,golf courses,personal ponds,etc. If you stood a swan and a hummingbird side by side,close enough to see the hummingbird’s tiny self,the swan will prolly eat you for lunch.
beautiful!!!
thank you WC!