Now you know why the most numerous and widespread of the two swan species in North America used to be known as the Whistling Swan.

The North American Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus columbianus) migrates in flocks of family groups…

Tundra Swan

leaving their Arctic breeding grounds in late September and arriving in their wintering grounds in November and December1 (click on photos for full sized images).

Tundra Swans

Range map courtesy of Terri Sohl of South Dakota Birds and Birding.

Tundra Swan Range Map

They feed primarily on the seeds, stems, roots, and tubers of submerged and emergent aquatic vegetation but drastic declines in such vegetation at some migratory stopover sites, and especially at wintering areas, have driven this species to feed extensively in grain fields1.

Tundra Swans

That is where I found this group of nearly 100 Tundra Swans northeast of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge as they flew in to the flooded agricultural fields.

Tundra Swans

They are impressive birds as they approach in these small groups…

Tundra Swans

some weighing in at nearly fifteen pounds with a wingspan of 6 to 7 feet, calling as they come in…

Tundra Swans

 greeting the other birds already feeding (note the size of the swans in relation to the shorebirds here).

Tundra Swans

It was mesmerizing…

Tundra Swan

watching them make those big…

Tundra Swan

wide turns…

Tundra Swan

like a big jumbo jet…

Tundra Swan

flaps up…

Tundra Swan

steady as she goes…

Tundra Swan

on final approach…

Tundra Swan

coming in for a landing.

Tundra Swan

References: 1North American Birds Online

Written by Larry
Larry Jordan was introduced to birding after moving to northern California where he was overwhelmed by the local wildlife, forcing him to buy his first field guide just to be able to identify all the species visiting his yard. Building birdhouses and putting up feeders brought the avian fauna even closer and he was hooked. Larry wanted to share his passion for birds and conservation and hatched The Birder's Report in September of 2007. His recent focus is on bringing the Western Burrowing Owl back to life in California where he also monitors several bluebird trails. He is a BirdLife Species Champion and contributes to several other conservation efforts, being the webmaster for Wintu Audubon Society and the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Urban Bird Foundation. He is now co-founder of a movement to create a new revenue stream for our National Wildlife Refuges with a Wildlife Conservation Pass.