Tundra Swan

Status Rare transient. Apart from a casual reference (Downs 1888) to "one or two instances" in earlier times, the first concrete record was of a specimen taken at Musquodoboit Harbour, Halifax County, on 6 January 1900 (Piers' notes). The next record was of two seen, one shot, in Richmond County in late fall 1919. In 1932 there were two early spring records two very weak birds, one of which was captured alive, appeared on the barrens near Louisbourg on 10 March, and a very thin bird was shot from a small flock at Little River, Yarmouth County, on 21 March. Four were seen on Brier Island on 9 November 1966 (W. Lent), three were seen there on 10 November 1973 (E.L. Mills, W. Lent) and seven appeared around Port Hebert, Shelburne County, in late December 1975 (R. Widrig et al.). Three were seen at Seaforth, Halifax County, on 28 November 1978; one illegally shot the next day was secured for the Nova Scotia Museum. In 1983, groups of 4-12 birds visited at Island Pond, Yarmouth County, in late November; on Sable Island during the first week of December; and at Bissett Lake, Halifax County, between 5 and 9 December.

Remarks The Tundra Swan, formerly known as the "Whistling Swan" in North America, nests in arctic and subarctic regions of the Old and New Worlds. Among North American waterfowl this magnificent white bird ranks in size only second to its slightly larger cousin. the Trumpeter Swan, which is decidedly more western in its range. A normal, healthy swan is extremely shy and hence difficult to approach, a trait which has contributed in no small way to its ability to maintain its numbers.

Like some of our other large wild birds, swans pair for life, and it is customary for the young to remain with their parents during the first year. The swan seen in our parks is the Mute Swan and is not a native bird but one brought here from Europe.

Tundra Swans migrating to and from the east coast do not normally appear north of Massachusetts. When migrating, they fly at great altitude. Some of those found here show evidence of severe exhaustion, suggesting a forced landing after a prolonged but unsuccessful struggle against strong winds.