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Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator

Bird · family Anatidae · order Anseriformes

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G4: apparently secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G4 Apparently Secure[2]
Native in
27 states[3]
Oldest known wild bird
26 years[4]

The Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) is a bird in the family Anatidae, order Anseriformes[5]. It is not listed under the US Endangered Species Act, and NatureServe ranks it G4 (Apparently Secure) worldwide[1][2].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the Trumpeter Swan a global rank of G4 (Apparently Secure)[2]. In the United States it is N4B for breeding birds and N4N for nonbreeding birds, and both mean Apparently Secure[6]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. The USFWS data show it is not listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act[1]. It is on the federal list of birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G4 (Apparently Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N4B,N4N (Apparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding))
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern
Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8] Protected
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[9] 10,000 to 100,000 individuals

Where Trumpeter Swan lives

NatureServe lists the Trumpeter Swan as native in 27 US states and territories, including Alaska, Montana, Minnesota, Michigan, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming[3]. NatureServe ranks it as extirpated or possibly extirpated, which means gone from the state, in Illinois, Louisiana and North Dakota[10]. State lists show where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see one there[3].

Alaska: native, state rank S4B,S3NAKMaine: not recordedMEWisconsin: native, state rank S4BWIVermont: not recordedVTNew Hampshire: not recordedNHWashington: native, state rank S3NWAIdaho: native, state rank S1B,S4NIDMontana: native, state rank S3MTNorth Dakota: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXNDMinnesota: native, state rank S3B,SNRN,SNRMMNIllinois: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXB,S2NILMichigan: native, state rank S3MINew York: native, state rank S1BNYMassachusetts: not recordedMAOregon: native, state rank S1B,S3NORNevada: native, state rank S1BNVWyoming: native, state rank S3B,S3NWYSouth Dakota: native, state rank S3B,S3NSDIowa: native, state rank S2BIAIndiana: native, state rank S1BINOhio: not recordedOHPennsylvania: native, state rank SNAPANew Jersey: not recordedNJConnecticut: not recordedCTRhode Island: not recordedRICalifornia: not recordedCAUtah: native, state rank S1NUTColorado: native, state rank SNACONebraska: native, state rank S2NEMissouri: native, state rank S1MOKentucky: native, state rank SNAKYWest Virginia: not recordedWVVirginia: native, state rank S1NVAMaryland: native, state rank S1MDDelaware: not recordedDEArizona: native, state rank S1NAZNew Mexico: not recordedNMKansas: native, state rank SNAKSArkansas: native, state rank S2NARTennessee: not recordedTNNorth Carolina: not recordedNCSouth Carolina: not recordedSCDistrict of Columbia: not recordedDCOklahoma: native, state rank SNROKLouisiana: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXLAMississippi: not recordedMSAlabama: native, state rank SNAALGeorgia: not recordedGAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: not recordedTXFlorida: not recordedFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[11].
Show state ranks (30 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaSNANot Applicable
AlaskaS4B,S3NApparently Secure (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
ArizonaS1NCritically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
ArkansasS2NImperiled (nonbreeding)
ColoradoSNANot Applicable
IdahoS1B,S4NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
IllinoisSXB,S2NPresumed Extirpated (breeding), Imperiled (nonbreeding)
IndianaS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
IowaS2BImperiled (breeding)
KansasSNANot Applicable
KentuckySNANot Applicable
LouisianaSXPresumed Extirpated
MarylandS1Critically Imperiled
MichiganS3Vulnerable
MinnesotaS3B,SNRN,SNRMVulnerable (breeding), Not Ranked (nonbreeding), Not Ranked (migrant)
MissouriS1Critically Imperiled
MontanaS3Vulnerable
NebraskaS2Imperiled
NevadaS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
New YorkS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
North DakotaSXPresumed Extirpated
OklahomaSNRNot Ranked
OregonS1B,S3NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
PennsylvaniaSNANot Applicable
South DakotaS3B,S3NVulnerable (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
UtahS1NCritically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
VirginiaS1NCritically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
WashingtonS3NVulnerable (nonbreeding)
WisconsinS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
WyomingS3B,S3NVulnerable (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)

Habitat

NatureServe records habitat types such as herbaceous wetland, riparian areas, shallow water, lagoon and tidal flat or shore[12]. The swan lives on ponds, lakes and marshes, mostly in fresh water[13]. It breeds among reeds and sedges and builds a large nest of plant material[13]. In winter it uses open water and sheltered bays[13]. In the intermountain western US it winters near geothermal activity, springs and dam outflows[13].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[12]

Size, diet and lifespan

Adults eat mostly water plants and may also graze in fields[14]. Young birds first eat aquatic insects and crustaceans, then switch to plants at about 5 weeks[14]. EltonTraits estimates the diet at 70% other plant material, 20% seeds and 10% invertebrates[15]. NatureServe records a typical length of 152 cm (60 in)[16]. The oldest known wild swan from banding records was at least 26 years 6 months old[4]. A clutch is usually about 5[17], and incubation lasts 33 to 37 days[17].

Trait Value
Typical length[16] 152 cm (60 in)
Typical adult weight[18] 11.9 kg (26 lb)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[19] 32.5 years (captivity)
Oldest known wild bird (banding)[4] 26 years 6 months
Litter or clutch size[20] 5
Gestation or incubation[21] 35 days
Female maturity[22] 730 days (about 2.0 years)
Food habits[23] Invertivore, Herbivore
Migration[24] non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[15]

  • 70% other plant material
  • 20% seeds
  • 10% invertebrates

When to look for it

NatureServe notes that some populations stay in one place all year and others migrate, so the migration category varies by population[24][25]. Birds that migrate arrive in northern nesting areas in early May and leave by late September or early October[25]. In the intermountain western US, nesting begins around late April or early May[17]. Young birds can fly at 100 to 120 days old[17]. Observation records on GBIF are highest in March, April and May, which reflects when people look and report, not how many swans there are[26].

January: 71,460 recordsJanFebruary: 61,143 recordsFebMarch: 83,220 recordsMarApril: 81,213 recordsAprMay: 116,809 recordsMayJune: 45,618 recordsJunJuly: 30,767 recordsJulAugust: 38,936 recordsAugSeptember: 39,185 recordsSepOctober: 39,652 recordsOctNovember: 51,687 recordsNovDecember: 54,086 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[26].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January71,460
February61,143
March83,220
April81,213
May116,809
June45,618
July30,767
August38,936
September39,185
October39,652
November51,687
December54,086

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Trumpeter Swan as present in 26 park units[27]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 2 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: Minnesota, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Washington[28]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Trumpeter Swan endangered?
It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G4 (Apparently Secure) worldwide[2].
Where does the Trumpeter Swan live?
NatureServe lists it as native in 27 US states and territories, including Alaska, Minnesota, Montana and Wyoming[3]. It lives on ponds, lakes and marshes[13].
What does the Trumpeter Swan eat?
Adults eat mostly water plants and may graze in fields[14]. Young birds first eat aquatic insects and crustaceans[14].
How big is a Trumpeter Swan?
NatureServe records a typical length of 152 cm (60 in)[16].
How long does a Trumpeter Swan live?
The oldest known wild swan from banding records was at least 26 years 6 months old[4].

Facts and sources

  1. Trumpeter Swan is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Trumpeter Swan: G4 (Apparently Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Trumpeter Swan as native in 27 US states and territories: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma,... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Oldest known wild Trumpeter Swan from US and Canadian bird banding records: at least 26 years 6 months old (USGS Bird Banding Laboratory). USGS Bird Banding Lab
  5. Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) is a bird in the family Anatidae, order Anseriformes. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N4B,N4N (Apparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. Trumpeter Swan is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (50 CFR 10.13). eCFR, 50 CFR 10.13
  9. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): 10,000 to 100,000 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe ranks Trumpeter Swan as extirpated or possibly extirpated (SX or SH) in: Illinois, Louisiana, North Dakota. NatureServe Explorer
  11. NatureServe state ranks for Trumpeter Swan (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  12. Habitat types NatureServe records for Trumpeter Swan: Herbaceous wetland, Riparian, Shallow water, Lagoon, Tidal flat/shore. NatureServe Explorer
  13. NatureServe notes on habitat for Trumpeter Swan. NatureServe Explorer
  14. NatureServe notes on food for Trumpeter Swan. NatureServe Explorer
  15. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 70% other plant material, 20% seeds, 10% invertebrates. EltonTraits 1.0
  16. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 152 cm (60 in). NatureServe Explorer
  17. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Trumpeter Swan. NatureServe Explorer
  18. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 11.9 kg (26 lb). NatureServe Explorer
  19. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 32.5 years in captivity. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  20. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 5. AnAge
  21. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 35 days. AnAge
  22. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 730 days (about 2.0 years). AnAge
  23. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Invertivore, Herbivore. NatureServe Explorer
  24. NatureServe migration category for Trumpeter Swan: non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  25. NatureServe notes on migration for Trumpeter Swan. NatureServe Explorer
  26. GBIF observation records of Trumpeter Swan in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  27. NPSpecies park lists recording Trumpeter Swan as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies
  28. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Trumpeter Swan: Minnesota, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Washington. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.