Species Identification

In Germany and Europe, there are naturally three different species of swans: The most well-known is certainly the large Mute Swan (Cygnus olor). However, there are also the equally large but slightly slimmer Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) and the significantly smaller Bewick’s Swan (Cygnus columbianus bewickii).

All three species have white plumage (gray in juveniles) and can be observed on water and in fields. Although the swans may look similar at first glance, they can be distinguished by distinct characteristics upon closer examination.

Head and Beak

Bewick's Swan

Whooper Swan

Mute Swan

Beak Colour	black-yellow	yellow-black	orange-black
Colour Distribution	yellow < black	yellow > black	orange > black
Colour Appear. (at distance)	more black	more yellow	orange
Colour Pattern	Yellow part ends bluntly well before the nostril	Yellow part extends wedge-shaped below the nostril	Knob at the base of the bill above the nostril
Profile	Rounder head, transition from bill to forehead distinct	Elongated head, transition from bill to forehead gradual	Prominent knob at the transition from bill to forehead
Juveniles: Beak Colour	Yellow part pale yellow, black part initially pale pink	Yellow part pale yellow, black part initially pale pink	gray
Juveniles: Colour Pattern	Same as adults	Same as adults	Same as adults

Illustrations for Clarification

Colour Pattern

Bewick’s Swan: Yellow part ends at a right angle/bluntly (left). Whooper Swan: Yellow part ends at an acute angle (right). Blue arrow: Position of the nostril. © NABU / Cassandra Voigt & Frauke Mohrwinkel

Profile

Bewick’s Swan: Transition from forehead to bill is slightly distinct (left). Whooper Swan: Transition from forehead to bill is gradual (right). © NABU / Cassandra Voigt & Frauke Mohrwinkel

Juveniles: Beak Colour

In autumn and early winter, the black portions of the bills of Bewick’s Swan (left) and Whooper Swan (right) are still pinkish.

In late winter, the bills turn black and eventually takes on the colour pattern of adults.

The bill of juvenile Mute Swans is completely black at all times.

© NABU / Cassandra Voigt

Juveniles: Plumage Colour

In juveniles, the plumage of all swans is gray. Bewick’s Swan (left) and Whooper Swan (middle) can still be distinguished based on the typical colour pattern of the bill and their size. Young Mute Swans (right) are noticeably darker.

© NABU / Cassandra Voigt

Size

Bewick's Swan

Whooper Swan

Mute Swan

General	Smallest swan, shorter neck and smaller body than Whooper Swan	Size = Mute Swan slimmer body than Mute Swan, larger than Bewick’s Swan	Size = Whooper Swan bulkier body than Whooper Swan, hence appears larger
Body Length	115–127 cm	140–160 cm	140–160 cm
Weight (ø)	4.5–7.5 kg	9–11 kg	10–12 kg
Posture of head and neck	Mostly straight	Mostly straight	Mostly S-shaped

Voice

Both Bewick’s and Whooper Swans are very vocal, with a melodic and trumpeting call, although Whooper Swans have a stronger and more trumpet-like voice. The Mute Swan is aptly named “mute swan” in English for good reason, so there is no risk of confusion here.

Bewick's Swan

Whooper Swan

Mute Swan

© Jan Sohler

Mute Swans vocalize less in winter and are best identified acoustically by their flight noise.

Further sound samples of the Bewick’s Swans are available on xeno-canto

Further sound samples of the Whooper Swans are available on xeno-canto

Sound samples of the Mute Swans are available on xeno-canto

Seasonal Occurrence in Germany

Bewick's Swan

Whooper Swan

Mute Swan

October – March

October – March (migratory birds)

All year (breeding birds)

All year

Additionally

A fourth species found in Germany is the black-plumaged Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) with a deep red bill coloration. Originally, these were escapees from captivity that naturally occur in Australia. However, there are now breeding pairs in Germany as well.

Sources

Would you like a little more?

…then we recommend this informative video by Kalle Nibbenhagen (in German) (www.ornithologiefueranfaenger.de / Instagram: @ornithologiefueranfänger)

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