Quick facts

Lifespan

12 to 16 years

Diet

Plants, small insects and a variety of invertebrates

Habitat

Wetlands

Range

The Whooper Swan has an an enormous range reaching up to around 10 million square kilometers.

Whooper swans require large areas of water to live in, especially when they are still growing, because their body weight cannot be supported by their legs for extended period of time. When Whooper swans prepare to go on a flight as a flock, they use a variety of signaling movements to communicate with each other. These movements include head shake, wing flaps and influence whether the flock will take flight and if so, which individual will take the lead.