Do Swans Migrate? (All You Need To Know)

There are six species of swans found on every continent except Africa and Antarctica. Swans are one of the most majestic and elegant birds around, and they are huge and capable of flight, so do swans migrate?

Swans are migratory in nature, but not all swan populations are migratory. Swan migration often depends on their exact location, food availability and weather conditions. For example, swans from Canada and Northern Europe tend to move south in winter, while populations in the United States, Western and Central Europe may not migrate at all.

In North America, trumpet and tundra swans typically migrate south from Canada and Alaska to the United States. Widely distributed across Scandinavia and Russia, whooper swans migrate to parts of Europe, including the UK, during the winter. Winter swan numbers in the UK have been boosted by migrations of Bewick and whooper swans from Russia, Iceland and Scandinavia.

Swan migration is sporadic and not every species migrates. For example, mute swans are largely sedentary. Even some populations of swans in Alaska and Canada decide to stay in for the winter rather than migrate.

Read on to learn more about the migratory behavior of these majestic birds!

Trumpeter swans typically migrate to the United States from Canada and Alaska

What swans migrate?

There are six or seven species of swans, and sometimes Bewick’s swans are classified as their own species rather than a subspecies of the tundra swan. Of the six species, at least five were partially migratory.

• Mute Swans: Mute swans are mainly resident, but a few populations are migratory. In the UK, most mute swans are permanent residents. In Eastern Europe, such as around the Volga Delta, some populations migrate south to Iran and the Middle East, but this depends on the weather. Mute swans introduced in the U.S. and Japan migrate only partially, flying along river deltas until they find a food source when their habitat freezes.
• whooper swan: Whooper swans are mainly migratory, traveling from Iceland, Scandinavia and Russia to Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands. Some end up as far south as Spain and the Mediterranean. The whooper swan population in the UK increases significantly in winter.
• Trumpeter swan: Many trumpet swan populations in Alaska and Canada migrate to the interior states. People in the Pacific Northwest are most likely to migrate. For example, populations in Alaska, British Columbia, Oregon, and Washington moved along the coast and inland. Trumpeter swans are most likely to migrate when rivers and lakes freeze over. They usually only fly as far as they need to find unfrozen water, up to around 1,000 kilometers.
• Tundra Swan: Tundra swans from upper Canada are almost always migratory. Migration routes follow Pennsylvania’s Great Basin, Mississippi River, and Susquehanna Valleys. Many Pacific Northwest populations winter in Oregon and California. The Bewick’s swan is a subspecies of the tundra swan that migrates from the Russian tundra to parts of East Asia. Bewick swans are winter visitors to Britain, migrating from parts of upper Scandinavia and the tundra of western Russia.
• Black-necked swan: South American black-necked swans are largely sedentary, although they do disperse into rivers in search of food.
• Black Swan: Black swans in Australia and New Zealand are mostly sedentary, but many migrate from northern Australia to South Australia and Tasmania.

In the UK, most mute swans are non-migratory

When Do Swans Migrate?

In the northern hemisphere, swans migrate during winter. Trumpeter and tundra swans in North America migrate as early as October or as late as January and February; depending on weather conditions. In Europe, whooper swans migrate in September and October.

In other parts of the world, such as South America, East Asia and Australia, migration varies with weather conditions and frost. During very cold winters, some swan populations migrated farther than usual, eventually reaching Iran and the Mediterranean Sea.

Why do swans migrate?

Most swan species are hardy, so even in unusually cold temperatures some populations choose to stay in the north. However, their main motivation for migration is food – swans migrate when their food source freezes over.

Typically, swans only migrate to where they need to find unfrozen bodies of water. Their migration may take place throughout the winter, gradually moving south as temperatures drop.

A flock of tundra swans in eastern North Carolina

How far do swans migrate south?

Swans are strong fliers and capable migrators. Trumpeter and tundra swans in North America can migrate over 1,000 kilometers or more, but they usually choose to migrate in stages. For example, trumpeting swans that breed in Wisconsin and Iowa migrate to Illinois, Missouri, Indiana and Arkansas, but may stop anywhere in between.

European whooper and Bewick swans travel similarly long distances. Honkers from Iceland traveled about 1,000 miles straight to Ireland, Scotland and England. Bewick’s swans also traveled to England from the Russian tundra and the Arctic.

Do swans migrate in flocks?

Swans migrate in small flocks, usually flying in a customary “V” formation. Flocks usually consist of single swans, pairs and young swans. Migrating trumpet swan flocks typically have 10 to 25 birds, while migrating tundra swan flocks can have up to 100 individuals.

Trumpeter swans and whooper swans often migrate in small family groups, consisting of several pairs and their young. This is one of the few cases where swans live and cooperate in groups – they are very territorial during the breeding season.

A large flock of whooper swans wintering in Japan

Do all swans migrate?

All six swan species are partially migratory, but many wild populations are sedentary. British mute swans stay in the UK year-round, North American trumpet swans don’t always migrate.

Black and black-necked swans, if they do migrate, usually do not migrate very far.

So, while swans are considered migratory birds, they are very mobile. Migration is sometimes necessary, for example, if lakes and rivers freeze over and prevent swans from feeding. But swans typically migrate shorter distances out of preference rather than for any other reason. This is especially true of black and black-necked swans.

Why do some swans not migrate?

If swans have an adequate food supply locally, they may not need to migrate. Swans are hardy birds that can survive cold weather — they migrate in search of food, not shelter.

Even the northernmost swans, such as the trumpeter, whooper, tundra and Bewick, do not always migrate. But if their river and lakeside habitats freeze, they fly south in search of food.

Black swans are usually resident and do not tend to migrate

Where do the swans go in winter?

Many populations of northern swans in Canada, Russia, Iceland and Scandinavia migrate south during the winter. Their wintering grounds are often plentiful – which is why they migrate.

Most swans do not migrate very far – Nordic swans (American swans and Bewick’s swans) migrate frequently to Great Britain and central Europe, while Canadian swans (Trumpet swans and Tundra swans) migrate to most of the United States, including coastal and inland.

Where do swans go in summer?

Migrating swans return to their breeding grounds in early spring, well before summer begins.

Most swans return from their wintering grounds by March or April, when they start breeding. Migrating swans stay at their breeding grounds all summer before leaving again in winter.

Mute swan swimming calmly on the lake

Which swans migrate to America?

Both tundra and trumpet swans migrate from Canada to the United States.

Tundra swans live in arctic and subarctic regions and migrate across much of Canada, with western populations wintering in Washington, Oregon, and California. The central and eastern populations of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota overwinter.

Trumpeter swans migrate across Canada and the United States, with significant wintering populations found in Idaho, California, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona.

Do swans migrate from America in winter?

No swans leave America in winter. There are almost no swans in Central America. The black-necked swan of South America is a permanent resident of the continent.

A small flock of migrating tundra swans

Which swans migrate to Britain?

Both whooper swans and Bewick’s swans migrate to England. Bewick’s are usually from northern Russia and Scandinavia, while Whoopers are from Iceland and Scandinavia.

These long-distance migrants traveled thousands of miles and made most of their journey without stopping. For example, Iceland is approximately 1,500 kilometers or 950 miles from Ireland.

Bewick’s swan

whooper swan

Do swans migrate from England in winter?

Britain is home to three species of swans; whooper, Bewick’s and mute swans. The resident mute swan rarely migrates and remains in the UK year-round. Bewick’s swans are both inhabitants of the Arctic and the arrival of winter. Whooper swans also arrive from the Arctic and Nordic winters.

While some migrating swans use Britain as a stopover on their way further south, the vast majority stay here during the winter. Very few swans leave the UK in winter. The British climate is perfect for swans, which is why there are so many of them in the UK!