58 Nebraskaland • April 2025
Ranchers and landowners who host migrating trumpeter
swans each year often share a common question for
biologists: "Is that the same pair of swans?" The answer,
more than likely, is yes.
A recent study of 38 trumpeter swans captured and fi tted
with transmitters in the Sandhills found 80 percent of swans
that nested at a particular wetland or lake came back to that
same wetland or lake the following year. Their return to the
same area each spring appears to be driven by their diet.
The largest waterfowl species on the planet, swans feed
almost exclusively on submerged aquatic vegetation, which
only grows in wetlands, creeks and rivers with good water
quality and clarity. The swans likely return to these areas
knowing there will be food to eat when they get there.
The swans' fi delity — or rate of return — for wintering
areas was similar, returning at a rate of just over 72 percent
for all swans, and 79 percent for swans with cygnets. It
should be noted, however, that all of the swans that were
tracked returned to the wintering area from the previous year
at one time or another.
Once swans migrated to a wintering area, they spent
almost 77 percent of their time there, but did move some,
using two to three areas during the winter. Again, there was
some unanticipated variation in their use of small creeks
where swan use had not been previously documented.
Known for being very territorial, there was never more than
one nesting pair on a wetland or lake in the Sandhills during
this study.
The future of trumpeter swans in Nebraska and elsewhere
depends on the conservation and management of breeding
and wintering areas with abundant, submergent aquatic
vegetation. Eliminating or reducing carp, soil runoff , invasive
plants and other factors will ensure they have access to those
resources they need.
Swans are the big, white "canaries" of high-quality
wetlands, lakes, creeks and rivers, and their status are an
indication in how good a job we're doing in conserving those
areas, but also our own environment.
Mark P. Vrtiska is a professor of practice of wildlife
management at UN-L's School of Natural Resources.
CREATURES OF HABIT(AT)
By Mark P. Vrtiska
MIXED BAG
A female trumpeter swan rearranges eggs in her nest at Cottonwood Lake State Recreation Area in Cherry County.
ERIC FOWLER, NEBRASKALAND
