European Birds

Anatidae : Swans, Geese & Ducks

Whooper Swan

Cygnus cygnus

Lancashire, England - December 2007

Whooper Swans are a fairly common winter visitor to northern England and Scotland.

Lancashire, England - December 2007

Cambridgeshire, England - November 2009

Newly arrived Whooper Swans - Lancashire, England - November 2006

At Martin Mere, the newly arrived birds are easily distinguished due to the reddish staining on their head and neck caused by a high concentration of iron oxide in the water and soil around their breeding grounds.

Newly arrived Whooper Swan - Lancashire, England - November 2006

The staining is temporary, and after a couple of weeks at Martin Mere their plumage returns to a pristine white...except for the juveniles who are a silvery-grey colour.

Adult

immature

Lancashire, England - November 2006

Lancashire, England - October 2007

Lancashire, England -October 2007

Lancashire, England - November 2008

Lancashire, England - November 2008

Lancashire, England - November 2008

Immature - Lancashire, England - November 2008

Immature - Lancashire, England - November 2008

Immature - Lancashire, England - November 2008

Immature - Lancashire, England - November 2008

 

Lancashire, England - October 2007

Lancashire, England - October 2007

Lothian, Scotland - April 2006