Bewick’s swan  (Cygnus columbianus bewickii)

Description

Bewick’s swan is the smallest swan to visit Britain (3). It is named after the illustrator Thomas Bewick who died in 1828 and produced many fine drawings of this species during his lifetime (5). These graceful white birds are generally very similar in appearance to the whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus) but their bills feature a small, typically rounded patch of yellow, whereas in whooper swans the wedge-shaped patch of yellow extends below the nostril (2). Males and females are very similar in appearance, but juveniles are generally greyish in colour and the bill is pink and off-white (2). This swan often produces a musical honking, especially when they are in flocks (6).

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