Swans are iconic birds known for their elegance and grace. But did you know there are only 7 different species of swans in the world, and only 3 species that are reliably found in Wisconsin (with one exotic species that is also sometimes seen)?

Swans that Breed in Wisconsin (2 Species)

These species regularly breed in Wisconsin and can be found commonly in certain areas.

Trumpeter Swan

Identification

Adult Trumpeter Swans are bright white birds with a black bill extending to the eyes. Their legs are black. They can be differentiated from Tundra Swans by having a more bell-shaped head, and a more “v-shaped” forehead when looking at the bird head on, compared to the “u-shaped” forehead of the Tundra Swan.

Range

Trumpeter Swans move into Wisconsin during the summer, sometimes flocking with Tundra Swans. Some individuals remain in the state to breed before leaving in the fall.

Diet and Foraging Behavior

Trumpeter Swans feed mostly on aquatic vegetation such as roots and stems of aquatic plants. They can often be seen with their heads underwater and backsides up as they feed.

Find this Bird

Look for Trumpeter Swans in or near water, in marshes, or in open or grassy fields, often in large flocks. They can also be found in mixed flocks with other swan species. In Wisconsin, Horicon Marsh is a reliable place to find Trumpeter Swans. They breed at Horicon, and are a signature species of the marsh.

Mute Swan

Identification

Mute Swans are large white birds with a long neck, black legs, orange bill, and black knob on the forehead.

Range

Mute Swans are native to Europe and Asia but have been introduced into parts of North America. Certain populations breed in North America while other individuals may be escaped pets or farm birds. Mute Swans can be found in Wisconsin year round and some pairs do breed in the state.

Diet and Foraging Behavior

Mute Swans feed on aquatic vegetation, mussels, worms, small fish, frogs, and other small vertebrates.

Find this Bird

Mute Swans are normally seen as individual birds or in pairs and tower over smaller geese species. They can be found in marshes, open water lakes, or small urban ponds.

Swans that Migrate Through Wisconsin (1 Species)

Tundra Swan

Identification

Adult Tundra Swans are bright white birds with a black bill extending to the eyes. Their legs are black. They can be differentiated from Trumpeter Swans by having a more slender head and “u-shaped forehead when looking at it head on, compared to a more “v-shaped” forehead and bell-shaped head of the Trumpeter Swan. Tundra Swans will sometimes have yellow markings on their bill, but these should not be used as a sole identification marker since Trumpeter Swans and other swan species can have these as well.

Range

Tundra Swans winter in eastern and western North America, and migrate through northern North America to their breeding grounds in the far north. In Wisconsin, Tundra Swans can be seen as they migrate through during the spring and fall, but can sometimes be found in winter months.

Diet and Foraging Behavior

Tundra Swans feed mostly on aquatic vegetation such as roots and stems of aquatic plants, as well as seeds, algae, and grains. They can often be seen with their heads underwater and backsides up as they feed.

Find this Bird

Look for Tundra Swans in or near water, in marshes, or in open or grassy fields, often in massive flocks during migration. They can also be found in mixed flocks with other swan species. In Wisconsin, they will often be seen in large flocks out on ice, in fields, or flying overhead. They may also be in mixed flocks with Trumpeter Swans.

Swans that Occasionally Show Up in Wisconsin as “Exotics” (1 Species)

Whooper Swan

Identification

The Whooper Swan is a large white swan with black legs, and a black and yellow bill, with the yellow extending to the eye.

Range

Whooper Swans are native in parts of Europe and Asia, but sometimes show up as vagrant birds in Alaska, Canada, and the Northwestern United States. In Wisconsin, they sometimes show up as a non-countable “exotic” species when individuals escape from farms.

Diet and Foraging Behavior

Whooper Swans feed on plant material such as roots, stems, leaves, and grasses. They can often be seen picking at vegetation on shore or with their backends up, feeding on water plants.

Find this Bird

Most Whooper Swans found in the United States will be escaped pets with the exception of those in Alaska, Canada, or the Northwestern United States. The circumstances of each individual siting should be evaluated as to where the bird originated from. In general, Swans are often only seen by bodies of water, and can be seen in the water or on the banks.

If you enjoyed this post, please give it a like and a comment. Also be sure to check out the Badgerland Birding YouTube Channel.