Barron’s Trumpeter, also known as the Tundra Swan, is a lesser-known species of swan that is making a big splash in the world of birdwatching. Unlike its more famous counterpart, the Trumpeter Swan, the Barron’s Trumpeter is smaller and has a distinctive yellow patch at the base of its bill.

These swans breed in the Arctic regions of North America and Siberia, and migrate southward to winter in the United States, particularly in the Pacific Northwest and the Great Lakes region. Their migration patterns and winter habitats make them a popular target for birdwatchers, who flock to these areas to catch a glimpse of these beautiful waterfowl.

Despite their relative obscurity, Barron’s Trumpeters are a fascinating species to observe. Male and female swans form strong bonds that last throughout their lifetimes and engage in elaborate courtship rituals, involving head bobbing, bill dipping, and neck stretching.

These swans also have a unique vocalization, which has been described as a mixture of a honk and a bugle call. This call can be heard from miles away and is an unmistakable sound of the Arctic tundra.

In recent years, the population of Barron’s Trumpeters has fluctuated due to hunting and habitat loss. However, conservation efforts have helped to stabilize their numbers, and these swans are now considered a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

But while they may no longer be endangered, Barron’s Trumpeters are still a species worth protecting and observing. So the next time you visit the Pacific Northwest or the Great Lakes region, keep an eye out for these lesser-known swans and listen for their unforgettable calls.