Trumpeter Swan Migration: A Complete Guide

North America’s largest native water bird, the trumpet swan, was threatened with extinction in the 1930s but has since made a dramatic comeback, with more than 63,000 birds recorded on the continent in 2015. They breed in Canada and the northern United States, but when winter begins and lakes start to freeze over, some populations temporarily move inland. If you want to learn more about the migration patterns of trumpet swans, read on!

Trumpeting swans raise their young in swamps, freshwater lakes, and coastal wetlands, and their populations are found around Alaska, Canada, and the Great Lakes states. Populations may migrate if breeding grounds freeze over in winter, although some remain in their homelands year-round.

Some trumpet swans do make longer migrations, covering distances of 700 km to 1,000 km (435 miles to 620 miles) in autumn and spring, while others spend the winter not far from their breeding grounds and then, at worst Migration to the north again slowed down.

If you want to learn more about the wintering destinations of these giant white waterbirds, and when and how they begin their journey, our trumpeter swan migration guide is a great place to start.

Not all Trumpeter Swans are migratory, as some remain within their territories year-round.

Do trumpet swans migrate?

While not all trumpet swans are migratory, many breeding swans on the fringes of Alaska and Canada often choose to migrate inland as temperatures drop in the fall and coastal waters and lakes begin to freeze over.

Trumpeter swan populations live in non-coastal areas of Alaska, British Columbia, Oregon, and Washington, as well as further inland – Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, South Dakota, Iowa states, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Ontario – may remain in the same territory year-round or migrate only short distances, less than 160 km (100 miles).

When Do Trumpeter Swans Migrate?

Once the lakes they feed on freeze over, migratory trumpet swans begin to leave their summer breeding grounds. This is usually from late October to November. Some Alaskans may start earlier, starting in late September.

The spring return migration is usually early, beginning in February, with pairs of swans leaving their wintering grounds along the Pacific coast in late February to March, arriving in Alaska and the Yukon to breed in mid-April.

A small flock of trumpet swans on a small lake in Wisconsin in late summer

Why do trumpet swans migrate?

In extreme northern latitudes, as winter approaches, feeding waters begin to freeze over, which inhibits the trumpet swan’s ability to forage. Heading to the US interior or further to the coast offers a great temporary solution for winter survival.

How far do trumpet swans migrate?

Trumpeting swans are considered resident animals for medium-distance migrators. Many populations remain in the same area year-round, but those that live in more extreme coastal areas do seek changes in habitat during the winter months.

Most Trumpeter swans migrate relatively short distances, up to around 160 km, but many migrate no further than 25 km to 70 km (15 miles to 45 miles). People on the iciest coasts traveled farther in search of frost-free wintering grounds.

These include the trumpeting swans, which breed in Wisconsin and Iowa, fly 700 meters to 1,000 kilometers (435 miles to 620 miles) south, and winter in the interior states, especially Illinois, Arkansas, Indiana and Missouri state.

Close up of a trumpeter swan on a lake

How long does it take for trumpeter swans to migrate?

Trumpeter swans vary in length depending on geographic location, weather conditions, and food availability at foraging locations. Some populations migrate over short distances, relatively staying at their breeding sites. Such flights would be completed in a matter of days or less.

Trumpeter swans that make longer migrations can take up to two months to reach their final destination, with stays at transit stations ranging from seven days to 1.5 months.

Where Do Trumpeter Swans Migrate?

Swan populations that depend on feeding grounds that freeze in winter often migrate inland to frost-free lakes and reservoirs. These birds may only need to fly a relatively short distance to reach suitable wintering sites to meet their foraging needs.

Trumpeter swans, which breed in coastal Alaska and British Columbia, are moving further up the coast of the United States once the earliest signs of winter arrive. Birds that breed in Alaska and inland western Canada travel to the U.S. states of Montana, Wyoming and Idaho to take advantage of relatively mild winters.

States with large winter populations that do not typically breed trumpet swans include Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, as well as remote areas of Texas.

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus bucciinator) in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Common Trumpeter Swan Migration Route

About 10 percent of the trumpeting swans made the longest migration, crossing the northern states of Iowa and Wisconsin to four warmer regions farther south: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana and Missouri.

Populations of eastern trumpeter swans that breed in Ontario may only temporarily migrate a small distance, wintering south in the same province, while other populations disperse further south and east into New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Ohio.

Trumpeter swans that breed in the Yukon and Northwest Territories follow a migratory route east of the Rocky Mountains to wintering grounds in Montana, Wyoming and Idaho.

How long does it take for trumpeter swans to migrate?

Because the trumpeting swans migrate different distances, travel times vary. Spring migration usually begins as early as February, with most birds leaving their wintering grounds by mid-March and all but the newest stragglers arriving at breeding grounds in April.

Immigration flights are usually an unhurried affair, considering that there may be a stopover of up to 6 weeks before completing the final stage of the journey.

Arctic tundra trumpet swans in northern Canada during their summer migration to the Bering Sea.

Do trumpet swans fly non-stop?

Trumpeter swans migrate in stages, stopping mid-flight to interrupt the journey. Locations with large bodies of open water are often chosen as stopovers, and weather and the availability of food resources will determine how long these “breaks” last before the original journey resumes.

Do trumpet swans migrate in flocks?

Trumpeter swans typically migrate as part of a small family group, usually consisting of 10 to 25 birds, both migrating to their wintering grounds and returning in the spring when they return to their breeding grounds.

trumpeter swans

Do all trumpet swans migrate?

Not all trumpet swans are migratory, and many live in their breeding grounds throughout the year. Even those animals that migrate to avoid icy feeding grounds don’t always make long migratory flights, and migrations to nearby inland lakes are fairly common.

Which states did they migrate from?

• Trumpeter swans that breed in Alaska and British Columbia may migrate once winter arrives, moving farther south and inland.
• Birds that breed in the Great Lakes region and surrounding areas with particularly harsh winters, such as Iowa and Wisconsin, migrate a short distance south to regions with more pleasant winters such as Missouri, Arkansas, Indiana and Illinois .

Where do trumpet swans go in winter?

While many trumpeting swans do migrate further inland and south during the winter, this is not always the case. Many populations are sedentary, living in the same area year round and raising their young on the same lakes where they spend the winter.

About 10 percent of trumpet swans are long-distance migrants, from the icy waters north of the Great Lakes to the frost-free waters farther south, which provide ample foraging opportunities during the coldest months.

Trumpeter swan in flight, Cape Brunswick, Delta, British Columbia, Canada

Where do the trumpet swans go in summer?

Trumpeter swans raise their young in breeding grounds in freshwater lakes and swamps. For some, these habitats provide suitable foraging grounds year-round and they do not need to relocate for winter.

For some pairs, their chosen breeding grounds are further north in Alaska, the Yukon Territory of Canada, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta—areas that do not satisfy their year-round foraging. Food demand.

These trumpeting swans arrive before nesting and breeding in early spring, when ice is sometimes still present on the surface of lakes and wetlands.

Trumpet swan swimming in water

common problem

Do trumpet swans migrate at night?

Trumpeter swans migrate during the day and can often be seen in late autumn in the skies over Canada and the northern United States, flying low in a V formation in search of clear water on land below.

Do trumpet swans migrate in pairs or in flocks?

Trumpeter swans usually migrate in small family groups to their wintering grounds and again in the spring before the breeding season. Swans pair for life, so stay with their mates all winter and on their return migrations together.