tundra swan

noun

: a native North American swan (Cygnus columbianus) that has a soft high-pitched call, breeds in the arctic tundra, and winters in shallow fresh or salt water especially along the eastern and western coasts of the U.S.

called also whistling swan

Examples of tundra swan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web There are two species native to Oregon that pass through while migrating: the tundra swan and the trumpeter swan. Mark Graves | , oregonlive, 27 Aug. 2023 Because the state is required to close the tundra swan season when the 20-bird trumpeter allotment is reached, Utah’s tundra swan season has closed earlier and earlier over the past three years. Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 10 May 2023 The other, the tundra swan, or common American swan as Audubon called it, is doing very well these days. Discover Magazine, 18 Jan. 2013 Hoary marmots, flying squirrels and tundra swans prepare for sleep in their respective safe havens. David James, Anchorage Daily News, 23 Nov. 2019 There were tundra swan sightings from both White Island Road in Halifax and at Broad Cove in Somerset. BostonGlobe.com, 29 Dec. 2019 Those that remain tend to be the hardiest, such as mallard ducks and tundra swans, but will likely also get a push south by the recent weather. Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 13 Nov. 2019 One pleasant noise that penetrates downward is the honks of tundra swans. Anchorage Daily News, 12 Oct. 2019 Many birds migrate, but some tundra swans spend most of the year traveling to and from breeding grounds. Author: Ann Cameron Siegal, Anchorage Daily News, 6 Feb. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tundra swan.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tundra swan was in 1984

Dictionary Entries Near tundra swan

Cite this Entry

“Tundra swan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tundra%20swan. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!