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Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator

General Status Rank:

Secure

ELCODE:

ABNJB02030

Common Name:

Trumpeter Swan

Scientific Name:

Cygnus buccinator

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Taxonomy

Group:

Bird

Kingdom:

Animalia

Phylum:

Chordata

Class:

Aves

Order:

Anseriformes

Family:

Anatidae

References:

General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

typically 4-7 years

References:

Longevity

average age unknown, birds >24years recaptured

References:

Economic/Human Considerations

once important to sport hunters in southern Canada and US, now hunting prohibited

References:

Habitat

freshwater marshes, ponds, lakes, rivers

References:

Distribution

Ecozones

Taiga Plains, Boreal Cordillera

References:

Distribution

~5-10% of total NWT area. Range extent visually estimated from range map in "Distribution of birds in NWT & Nunavut: 2009 Review" (CWS).

Score:

F

References:

Winter Distribution Description:

western North America

Number of Occurrences

dispersed breeder

References:

Historical Distribution

Probably more extensive than present

References:

Area of Occupancy

probably stable

Score:

-

References:

Population

Population Size

NWT surveys completed in 2010 found a total of 309 TRUS (CWS 2010 unpublished data). 2010 fall surveys estimate the Canadian portion of the Rocky Mountain Population (YT, NWT, BC, AB) to be 8,950.

Score:

C

References:

Density

dispersed breeder

Trends

Trends

"The Canadian portion of the Rocky Mountain population was estimated at 8950 in the most recent survey in 2010 (Table 1), a 90% increase since the previous survey in 2005 (estimate of 4728 swans). All Canadian areas of the Rocky Mountain Population showed a growth since the 2005 survey, ranging from 17% in Yukon to over 150% in Alberta. The change made to the survey methodology in 2010 is thought to be responsible for some of the apparent increase in the Rocky Mountain population in British Columbia, Alberta and the Northwest Territories; previous surveys in these areas were likely underestimating the population (Canadian Wildlife Service Waterfowl Committee. 2014. Population Status of Migratory Game Birds in Canada: November 2014. CWS Migratory Birds Regulatory Report Number 44.). The Canadian portion of the Rocky Mountain population was estimated at 8950 in the most recent survey in 2010 (Table 1), a 90% increase since the previous survey in 2005 (estimate of 4728 swans). All Canadian areas of the Rocky Mountain Population showed a growth since the 2005 survey, ranging from 17% in Yukon to over 150% in Alberta. The change made to the survey methodology in 2010 is thought to be responsible for some of the apparent increase in the Rocky Mountain population in BC, AB and NT; previous surveys in these areas were likely underestimating the population. "

Score:

I

References:

Threats

Threats

none known in NWT, lead poisoning from lead shot ingestion on migration/wintering areas

Score:

C

References:

Intrinsic Vulnerability

In north, pollution, development, global climate change

Score:

-

References:

General Status Rank

Rank:

Secure

Status Rank Description:

small population size and limited distribution in NWT, but increasing population

S Rank:

S4

Decision Process Description:

Drafted by Jim Hines with review by S. Carriere, mostly based on printed material in 2000, Reviewed in 2005 by J. Hines and C. Swoboda based on printed literature only, no change in status; Reviewed in 2010;no change ; Reviewed by Ian Fife and Cindy Wood CWS in 2015,modified from sensitive to secure (more information trends)

Last Updated:

February 17, 2015

Status Designations

Canada – Assessment by Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

COSEWIC Status:

Not At Risk

References:

References

Age Of Maturity

J. H. Kennard (1975) Longevity records of North American birds. Bird Banding 46: 55–59. - CS22 Return

Area of Occupancy

Alvo R (1996) Updated status reort on the trumpeter swan Cygnus buccinator. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R064 Return
Cindy Wood and Ian Fife (2015) e-copy - H308 Return

COSEWIC Status

Alvo R (1996) Updated status reort on the trumpeter swan Cygnus buccinator. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R064 Return

Economic Status

Bellrose, RC (1980) Ducks, geese, and swans of North America. Wildlife Mangement Institute and Stackpole Books 3rd edition CWS office. Yellowknife - B999 Return
Hines, Jim (2005) Pers. communication Wildlife biologist, CWS, Yellowknife. - H127-05 Return

Ecozones

Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Habitat

Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return
Hines, Jim (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife biologist, CWS, Yellowknife - H127 Return

Historical Distribution

Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Bellrose, RC (1980) Ducks, geese, and swans of North America. Wildlife Mangement Institute and Stackpole Books 3rd edition CWS office. Yellowknife - B999 Return
Hines, Jim (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife biologist, CWS, Yellowknife - H127 Return
Dubovsky, J.A. (2005) Trumpeter Swan Survey of the Rocky Mountain Population. USFWS USFWS, Migratory Birds and State Programs, Mountain-Prairie Region - CS31 Return

Longevity

J. H. Kennard (1975) Longevity records of North American birds. Bird Banding 46: 55–59. - CS22 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Bellrose, RC (1980) Ducks, geese, and swans of North America. Wildlife Mangement Institute and Stackpole Books 3rd edition CWS office. Yellowknife - B999 Return

Number of Occurrences

Hines, Jim (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife biologist, CWS, Yellowknife - H127 Return

Population Size

Dubovsky, J.A. (2005) Trumpeter Swan Survey of the Rocky Mountain Population. USFWS USFWS, Migratory Birds and State Programs, Mountain-Prairie Region - CS31 Return

,

Cindy Wood and Ian Fife (2015) e-copy - H308 Return

Range Extent

Cindy Wood and Ian Fife (2015) e-copy - H308 Return

Short Term Trends

Alvo R (1996) Updated status reort on the trumpeter swan Cygnus buccinator. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R064 Return
Cindy Wood and Ian Fife (2015) e-copy - H308 Return

Taxonomy

Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Threats

Bellrose, RC (1980) Ducks, geese, and swans of North America. Wildlife Mangement Institute and Stackpole Books 3rd edition CWS office. Yellowknife - B999 Return
Hines, Jim (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife biologist, CWS, Yellowknife - H127 Return
Dubovsky, J.A. (2005) Trumpeter Swan Survey of the Rocky Mountain Population. USFWS USFWS, Migratory Birds and State Programs, Mountain-Prairie Region - CS31 Return