Whooper swan
Description: Whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus), adult, found dead on bank of Kionslieau Reservoir, Isle of Man, 26 November 1998, Grid reference: SC 288 783. Mount by James Dickinson, North West Museums Service, Blackburn.
The two most common species of swan found on the Isle of Man are Mute and Whooper swans. Mute Swans tend to be resident here year-round but Whooper Swans come to our shores every autumn from the subarctic tundra in Iceland to enjoy our relatively milder winters. They complete their 600–800-mile odyssey across the Atlantic in a single flight; one flock was recorded flying at 8,000 metres, where the temperature could have been -50˚C.
To differentiate between the two species, one of the main features to compare is the beak. Mute Swans have a black bulge at the top of their beak and the rest is mainly orange. Whooper Swans have a smooth yellow beak with a black tip.
Date found: 1998-11-26
Taxonomic name: Cygnus cygnus
Collection: Natural History Zoology Collection
ID number: 2000-0088
Subject tags : #MM100COLLECTIONS