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VISITOR NUMBER
SINCE 11th APRIL
2006
Website Design by:
Michelle Arnold
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Welcome to Swan Lifeline |
WHOOPER SWANWhooper Swan Cygnus cygnus
(Eurasian cousin of Trumpeter
Swan)
There are two populations of
Whooper Swans, one breeding in Iceland, which migrates
to the UK in winter, and another breeding in Scandinavia
 and
Siberia and over-wintering in Western Europe. Typical
male weight is around11kg and the female 8kg. They have
a yellow and black bill pattern, like Bewick's Swans,
but are distinguishable because the wedge of yellow on
the Whooper Swan always extends below the nostril. In
addition, the bill is longer than the Bewick's. Whooper
Swans are the most aggressive of the Eurasian swans.
Migration flights can last 14-15 hours and they reach
speeds of around 50mph (80 km/ph). They have been
recorded at flying at heights up to 9000 metres.
Image courtesy of Fraser Simpson
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