Lesser Swan

Lesser Swan (Cygnus Columbianus) belongs to Anatidae Family and populates the area of Alaska and Canada. During the winter it migrates south and winters mainly in the United States and Mexico. This species, extremely similar to Bewick’s Swan (Cygnus Bewickii), is called “Minor” because it is much smaller than the category of swans found in the Nordic countries. The latin name Cygnus Columbianus refers to the Columbia River where this magnificent species was discovered many years ago by explorers Lewis and Clark. The Lesser Swan (Cygnus Columbianus) it is quite silent in the water while on the contrary it becomes extremely noisy during the flight; often during the migration, at high altitude, it is confused with the Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus Buccinator), even if the size is much smaller and the flight much faster and faster. In the daily movements, the Lesser Swan (Cygnus Columbianus) soars in flight with great ease, thanks to its not too imposing dimensions, while, in winter, landings in lakes and rivers are very dangerous, which can create serious injuries and very violent impacts to the ground due to the strong ice. The Lesser Swan (Cygnus Columbianus) prefers fluvial areas rather than still waters and can also be seen in the open ocean; its diet almost exclusively of vegetable origin includes leaves, shoots of various kinds and roots of aquatic plants. In captivity it is easily to breed even if it is not a very common species to find, unlike the Mute Swan (Cygnus Olor) and the Black Swan (Cygnus Atratus). The couple is very close, both members take care of the construction of the nest. The male is very protective towards the female during the brooding period and hardly goes away protecting the surrounding territory from various kinds of intruders. Eggs usually 4/6 do not show particular signs, slightly creamy white and shiny. Youngs of the Lesser Swan (Cygnus Columbianus) calves are very fast in development and reach full maturity earlier than many other swan species. These majestic specimens defined as “Tundra Swans” do not show sexual dimorphism; the male is certainly taller and more robust than the female, it has a stocky and long neck and a candid white plumage. The most important feature that distinguishes it from Bewick’s Swan (Cygnus Bewickii) is the beak; in the Lesser Swan (Cygnus Columbianus) it is almost completely black, with the presence, albeit minimal, of a yellow orange spot under the eye, while in the Bewick’s Swan (Cygnus Bewickii) the yellow spot is much more extensive and much more visible.