Bewick's Swan
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(New page: '''Common Name:''' Bewick’s Swan<br> '''Scientific Name:''' Cygnus columbianus bewickii '''Size:''' 45-55 inches (115-140 cm); '''Wingspan:''' 62 inches (160 cm) '''Habitat:''' Eurasia...) |
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The species breeds near shallow pools, lakes and broad slow-flowing rivers with emergent littoral vegetation and pondweeds connected to coastal delta areas in open, moist, low-lying sedge-grass or moss-lichen Arctic tundra. It rarely nests in shrub tundra, and generally avoids forested areas. On migration, the species frequents shallow ponds, lowland and upland lakes, riverine marshes, shallow saline lagoons and sheltered coastal bays and estuaries. During the winter, it inhabits brackish and freshwater marshes, rivers, lakes, ponds and shallow tidal estuarine with adjacent grasslands, flooded pastures or agricultural arable fields. | The species breeds near shallow pools, lakes and broad slow-flowing rivers with emergent littoral vegetation and pondweeds connected to coastal delta areas in open, moist, low-lying sedge-grass or moss-lichen Arctic tundra. It rarely nests in shrub tundra, and generally avoids forested areas. On migration, the species frequents shallow ponds, lowland and upland lakes, riverine marshes, shallow saline lagoons and sheltered coastal bays and estuaries. During the winter, it inhabits brackish and freshwater marshes, rivers, lakes, ponds and shallow tidal estuarine with adjacent grasslands, flooded pastures or agricultural arable fields. | ||
| - | Status: Least Concern. Global population: 38,000 adult individuals. The European winter population was estimated at 16,000–17,000 about 1990, with about 20,000 birds wintering in East Asia. The Iranian wintering population is small – 1,000 birds or so at most. The species population is believed to be decreasing. The species is threatened by the degradation and loss of wetland habitats due to agricultural drainage, petroleum pollution, peat-extraction, changing wetland management practices, the burning and mowing of reeds and algae population). Its Arctic breeding habitat is also threatened by oil and gas exploration. The species is threatened by mortality from oil pollution (oil spills) in molting and pre-migrational staging areas, from collisions with power lines, and from lead poisoning as a result of lead shot and fishing weight ingestion during migration and on wintering grounds. The species suffers from poaching in north-west Europe, is hunted for sport in North America and is hunted considerably for subsistence throughout its range. The species is also susceptible to avian influenza, so may be threatened by future outbreaks of the disease. | + | '''Status:''' Least Concern. '''Global population:''' 38,000 adult individuals. The European winter population was estimated at 16,000–17,000 about 1990, with about 20,000 birds wintering in East Asia. The Iranian wintering population is small – 1,000 birds or so at most. The species population is believed to be decreasing. The species is threatened by the degradation and loss of wetland habitats due to agricultural drainage, petroleum pollution, peat-extraction, changing wetland management practices, the burning and mowing of reeds and algae population). Its Arctic breeding habitat is also threatened by oil and gas exploration. The species is threatened by mortality from oil pollution (oil spills) in molting and pre-migrational staging areas, from collisions with power lines, and from lead poisoning as a result of lead shot and fishing weight ingestion during migration and on wintering grounds. The species suffers from poaching in north-west Europe, is hunted for sport in North America and is hunted considerably for subsistence throughout its range. The species is also susceptible to avian influenza, so may be threatened by future outbreaks of the disease. |
'''Diet:''' Submerged and emergent aquatic vegetation as well as grasses and grains. They often “tip up” to reach submerged aquatic vegetation and “dabble” on the water surface. | '''Diet:''' Submerged and emergent aquatic vegetation as well as grasses and grains. They often “tip up” to reach submerged aquatic vegetation and “dabble” on the water surface. | ||
