Tundra Bean Goose vs Mute Swan
Anser serrirostris compared with Cygnus olor
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Tundra Bean Goose | Mute Swan |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anser serrirostris | Cygnus olor |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 152.0 cm (59.8 in) |
| Wingspan | — | 235.0 cm (92.5 in) |
| Weight | 2540.0 g (89.60 oz) | 11000.0 g (388.01 oz) |
| Diet | Eats grasses, seeds, and aquatic plants; dabbles for invertebrates; diet shifts between plant material and … | Submerged aquatic vegetation, algae, and grass. Feeds by upending in shallow water, reaching depths of … |
| Clutch Size | 3-8 | 5-7 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Tundra Bean Goose
Breeds on Arctic and subarctic tundra in Siberia. Winters on agricultural land, river floodplains, and wetlands in eastern China, Japan, and Korea, with some wintering in western Europe.
Mute Swan
Lakes, slow rivers, estuaries, and coastal lagoons. Often associated with parks and ornamental waters in Europe.
Song & Call Comparison
Tundra Bean Goose
A nasal, lower call compared to Taiga Bean Goose. Considered subspecifically or specifically distinct; vocalizations are an active taxonomic tool for separation in mixed flocks.
Mute Swan
Despite its name, not truly mute: gives hissing snorts and low grunting when threatened. Wings produce a loud rhythmic whistling throbbing sound in flight.
Geographic Range & Migration
Tundra Bean Goose
Breeds in northern prairie regions of North America; winters in the southern United States and along both coasts to Mexico.
Mute Swan
Native to Europe and western Asia. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Conservation Status
Tundra Bean Goose
Mute Swan
How to Tell Them Apart
Tundra Bean Goose
Dark brown head and neck; grayish-brown back with pale feather fringing. Underparts pale gray-brown. Orange-yellow legs. Bill black with orange subterminal band. Recently split from Taiga Bean Goose.
Mute Swan
All-white plumage in adults. Cygnets are grey-brown, gradually whitening over the first year. Graceful S-curved neck posture is distinctive.
Orange bill with a prominent black knob at the base, larger in males
About These Birds
Tundra Bean Goose
A large brown goose with dark head and neck, orange-patterned black bill, and orange legs. Separated from Taiga Bean Goose as a distinct species. Breeds on Arctic and subarctic tundra; winters in eastern Asia and occasionally western Europe. More common in Japan and eastern China.
Mute Swan
The mute swan is one of the heaviest flying birds, with males weighing up to 14 kg. Despite its name, it is not truly mute, producing hissing, grunting, and snorting sounds. Mute swans form lifelong pair bonds and their aggressive defense of nesting territory is well known.