Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) is in the Ducks, Geese, and Swans family (Anatidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 22,964 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in March.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
Conservation status (iNaturalist): G4.
When to photograph Trumpeter Swan: observations by month (U.S.)
About Trumpeter Swan
The trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator) is a species of swan found in North America. The heaviest living bird native to North America, it is also the largest extant species of waterfowl with a wingspan that may exceed 10 ft (3.0 m). It is the American counterpart and a close relative of the whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus) of Eurasia, and even has been considered the same species by some authorities. By 1933, fewer than 70 wild trumpeters were known...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Trumpeter Swan by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 4,613 | April | Jan–Oct |
| Ohio | 3,348 | May | Mar–May |
| Michigan | 2,448 | June | May–Apr |
| Washington | 1,840 | January | Nov–Mar |
| Wisconsin | 1,764 | June | Feb–Nov |
| Idaho | 1,419 | March | Dec–Mar |
| Alaska | 1,277 | June | May–Apr |
| Wyoming | 1,070 | September | May–Oct |
| Illinois | 783 | January | Oct–Jun |
| Maryland | 607 | April | Nov–Sep |
| New York | 453 | March | Jan–Jun |
| Oregon | 425 | January | Nov–Jul |
| Montana | 406 | February | Nov–Sep |
| Missouri | 402 | December | Nov–Feb |
| Iowa | 363 | March | Dec–May |
| Virginia | 210 | January | Nov–Apr |
| California | 161 | January | Dec–Feb |
| Indiana | 154 | February | Nov–Jul |
| Pennsylvania | 153 | February | Dec–Sep |
| Colorado | 143 | January | Dec–Feb |
| Arkansas | 137 | January | Dec–Feb |
| Nebraska | 112 | May | May–Jun |
| Utah | 78 | January | Jan–Feb |
| Massachusetts | 66 | February | Jan–Mar |
| Kansas | 65 | February | Dec–Mar |
| New Jersey | 51 | January | Dec–Mar |
| Oklahoma | 49 | February | Jan–Feb |
| Arizona | 45 | January | Nov–Jan |
| South Dakota | 44 | March | Jan–Apr |
| North Dakota | 32 | May | Mar–Jun |
| New Mexico | 29 | January | Jan–Feb |
| North Carolina | 29 | January | Jan–Mar |
| Vermont | 26 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Alabama | 21 | January | Jan–Feb |
| Nevada | 20 | August | Aug–Oct |
| Kentucky | 17 | January | Dec–Feb |
| Delaware | 16 | February | Sep–Mar |
| Georgia | 16 | January | Dec–Mar |
| Texas | 15 | December | Dec–Dec |
| Florida | 13 | December | Dec–Dec |
| Connecticut | 10 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Tennessee | 9 | January | Jan–Apr |
| West Virginia | 7 | February | Feb–Feb |
| Louisiana | 6 | January | Dec–Feb |
| New Hampshire | 6 | April | Apr–Jun |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Ducks, Geese, and Swans)
Mallard
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Northern Shoveler
Bufflehead
American Wigeon
Hooded Merganser
Ring-necked Duck
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Trumpeter Swan?
Nationally, March has the most observations, with the main season from February to January.
Where is Trumpeter Swan most often seen?
The most observations come from Minnesota, Ohio, Michigan.