Bewick's Swan

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Habitat and behaviour

Habitat: Wet pasture, washes (winter).
Diet: Aquatic plants, stubble.
Best time to spot: Smaller, rounder than Whooper.

When to look

A winter visitor, typically in the UK from October through to March. Numbers peak in January. See the January birding guide for what else is about. More on the season in UK winter wildfowl.

Taller bars mean more birds about. Grey means it is usually absent.

How rare is it?

The Bewick's Swan sits in our Rare tier for the UK: scarce or very local, so most birders need a planned trip. It is Red-listed in Birds of Conservation Concern 5, the highest level of concern in the UK.

Where to see it

Reserves where the Bewick's Swan is on the list:

• WWT Slimbridge

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Whooper SwanUncommon · Lakes
• Mute SwanCommon · Lakes
• American WigeonRare · Wetlands (winter vagrant)
• Arctic RedpollRare · Birch
• Cattle EgretRare · Pasture with livestock
• Common RedpollRare · Birch woodland (winter)

Tell it apart

Side-by-side ID guides: Mute Swan vs Whooper Swan vs Bewick's Swan.

Kit that helps

Bird ID starter kit. Affiliate links, our own picks, no extra cost to you.