Scientific name: Cygnus cygnus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Bird group: Swans
Field characters. 145-160 cm. Differs from Mute Swan by yellow base of black bill, and less curved neck; differs from Tundra Swan by larger size, flatter forehead, longer and deeper bill with a larger patch of yellow, extending in a wedge to below nostril. Legs and feet black. Juvenile with head, neck and upperparts grey-brown (darker than in young Mute Swan), underparts white with grey-brown flanks, bill flesh-coloured with dark tip.
Voice. Flight-call is a loud, trumpet-like note: "whoop, whoop. whoop", or "ahng-ha".
Distribution. Rare breeding bird in northern part of region. Uncommon in winter.
Habitat. Breeds on islets in lakes in steppe region and in swampy or reedy wetlands and pools in upland grasslands or heaths. Outside breeding season on sea coasts, inland lakes, floodlands, wetlands and stubble fields.
Food. Almost entirely aquatic plants, obtained by dipping (immersing head and neck) or by up-ending.
Eggs. Unmarked, ground colour white or tinged yellow, becoming stained brown or yellow during incubation. Texture often slightly glossy. Shape subelliptical/long subelliptical/elliptical/long elliptical. Size 113 x 73 mm (105-126 x 68-77), weight 330 g.