Bewick's Swan
Cygnus columbianus (Ord, 1815)
BS
BEWSW
1530
Family: Anseriformes > Anatidae
Our smallest swan is a winter visitor from the Russian tundra. It has an elegant look with a rounded yellow patch on the bill.
Around one third of the world population of Bewick’s Swans come to our inland wetlands for the winter, spread out mainly across southern England from the fenlands of East Anglia to the Severn Estuary. The Wetland Bird Survey reports a significant population decline over the last 25 years.
The Ouse and Nene Washes now hold the largest flocks, although the history of the species in England is tied to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust reserve at Slimbridge, where individual recognition based on the shape of the yellow bill patch has allowed the fate of families to be studied over many years.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Bewick's Swan
Identification
Bewick's Swan identification is sometimes difficult. The following article may help when identifying Bewick's Swan.
Identifying winter swans
Every winter thousands of Whooper Swans from Iceland and Bewick’s Swans from Arctic Russia migrate into UK and Ireland to spend the winter here. Telling these two black and yellow-billed swans apart can be tricky. Here we help you to separate these wild northern swans.
Develop your bird ID skills with our training courses
Our interactive online courses are a great way to develop your bird identification skills, whether you're new to the hobby or a competent birder looking to hone your abilities.
Browse training coursesStatus and Trends
Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
| UK Birds of Conservation Concern | Red listed |
| Species of European Conservation Concern | Vulnerable |
| IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global) |
Least Concern 
|
| Schedule 1 license required (to disturb) | Yes |
| Birds Directive Annex 1 | Yes |
|
Listed on the Annexes of
|
WCA(I), WBD(I), Bern(III), Bonn(II), AEWA, NERC (41) |
POPULATION SIZE
| UK (winter) | 4350 (2015-15) |
| BOU Category | A |
|
First Record
|
1829 |
POPULATION CHANGE
| UK winter population |
-96% decrease (1996/97–2021/22) |
DISTRIBUTION
The species’ winter distribution is patchy, with most flocks occurring in southeastern England, and very few in Ireland, Wales or Scotland. Despite a relatively large number of occupied squares, significant flocks are concentrated in the fenlands of eastern Britain, chiefly around the Ouse Washes and Nene Washes (WeBS Report 2011), with smaller concentrations in parts of the west, especially the Severn Estuary.
-
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
| No. occupied in winter | 390 |
| % occupied in winter | 13 |
European Distribution Map
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
Generally, there seems to have been an eastward shift in the wintering range of this population, as evidenced by the declines in Ireland and western Britain, which are on the western edge of the species’ Palearctic range. This is possibly caused by birds ‘short-stopping’ in continental Europe.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
| % change in range in winter (1981–84 to 2007–11) | --16.7% |
SEASONALITY
Bewick's Swans are winter visitors, though declining in abundance. They typically arrive in October and depart through March.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Foreign locations of birds ringed or recovered in Britain & Ireland
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Bewick's Swan, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
|
Number of Broods
|
1 |
|
Egg Size
|
107×68 mm Weight = 280 g (of which 12% is shell) |
SURVIVAL & LONGEVITY
View number ringed each year in the Online Ringing Report
|
Maximum Age from Ringing
|
28 years 1 months 27 days (set in 2011)
|
|
Typical Lifespan
|
9 years with breeding typically at 4 year |
|
Adult Survival
|
0.822
|
|
Juvenile Survival
|
0.66 (to age 2)
|
BIOMETRICS
|
Wing Length
|
Adults | 508.7±20.6 | Range 483–549mm, N=53 |
| Males | 518.7±21 | Range 485–549mm, N=22 | |
| Females | 497.3±13.8 | Range 473–518mm, N=24 |
|
Body Weight
|
Adults | 5.89±0.78 | Range 4.60–7.40kg, N=56 |
| Males | 6.27±0.83 | Range 5.00–7.40kg, N=22 | |
| Females | 5.67±0.63 | Range 4.60–6.40kg, N=24 |
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
|
Ring size
|
M* |
|
Field Codes
|
2-letter: BS | 5-letter code: BEWSW | Euring: 1530 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Links to more studies from ConservationEvidence.com
- Post-release survival of oiled, cleaned seabirds in North America
- Effects of brood parasitism and nest-box placement on wood duck breeding ecology
- Effects of grazing and inundation on pasture quality and seed production in a salt marsh
Read more studies about Bewick's Swan on Conservation Evidence >
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