They're Back! Trumpeter Swans Return to Their Winter Home
In recent years, over 2,000 Trumpeter Swans have made their winter homes in the region.
As winter settles in along the Mississippi River, a familiar sight returns with it. Trumpeter swans migrate back to Illinois, offering a rare chance to see these massive, graceful birds in their seasonal habitat.
All About Trumpeter Swans
It's a peaceful image: Trumpeter Swans gliding across the water in the early morning sun. That image is now reality as literally hundreds of swans find their way to the Great Rivers & Routes region and their winter homes. Significant populations of the birds are found in the bays and inlets along the Mississippi River and the Audubon Center at Riverlands.
Through species restoration efforts, the Trumpeter Swan has made a great comeback in the Midwest along the Mississippi Flyway. The Trumpeter Swan is the largest waterfowl species native to North America. Putting on quite a show, they are easy to locate in the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary from November through February.
Rarest North American Waterfowl
Trumpeter Swans are the largest and rarest of all North American waterfowl. Adults have snow-white plumage with black bills and feet. Adult females, called pens, may weigh up to 20 pounds. Males, called cobs, can weigh over 30 pounds. Trumpeters measure approximately five feet from bill to tail.
Young trumpeter swans are called cygnets and have a sooty-gray plumage with a pinkish bill and feet. By the second year of life, the cygnets will have their adult plumage. Trumpeter swans can live longer than 24 years in the wild and more than 30 years in captivity.
Trumpeter Swans inhabit lakes, ponds, large rivers, and coastal bays. The most important habitat requirements are open water, access to food, and protection from disturbance. Winter habitats extend from the Chesapeake Bay to the lower Mississippi.
These are the reasons the Great Rivers & Routes region is the perfect place for Trumpeter Swans to make their winter home.
Trumpeter Swans 101
Trumpeter Swans select a permanent mate between two and three years of age. Between the ages of four and six, they begin nesting. Trumpeter Swans forage on land and in water, especially during winter.
Their long necks allow them to forage for submerged vegetation without diving. Trumpeter Swans nest in or on floating vegetation. Both males and females help build the nest.
The nest is a low mound of plant matter with a depression in the middle. The female lays 4 to 5 eggs in a clutch and incubates most of them herself, although the male may help. Incubation lasts 32 to 37 days.
The young are able to swim and feed themselves almost immediately after hatching and can fly at about three to four months of age.
Other Common Swan and Goose Species
The snow goose is very common throughout the Mississippi Flyway. There are two color morphs for this species. The white morph adult is mostly white with bold, black wingtips and a pinkish bill. The blue morph adult has a mostly white head and neck, with variable amounts of white on its underparts. The blue morph was once considered a separate species. Parents stay with their young through the first winter.
Families will travel together on both the southbound and northbound migrations.
For more information on trumpeter swans in Alton, Illinois, contact:
Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary
301 Riverlands Way
West Alton, Missouri 63386
(636) 899-2600
National Great Rivers Museum
#2 Lock and Dam Way
Alton, Illinois 62002
(618) 462-6979
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there swans in Illinois?
Yes! Illinois is home to Trumpeter swans each winter. These large, graceful birds migrate along the Mississippi River and settle in areas with calm waters and plenty of food.
Where are the best places to see Trumpeter swans in southwest Illinois?
Some of the most reliable spots include:
- Carlyle Lake - quiet areas along the shoreline
- Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary - wetlands and bays make it easier to spot swans gliding on open water
- Audubon Center at Riverlands - indoor spotting scopes and guided walks that help visitors find Trumpeter swans and other winter birds
- Melvin Price Locks & Dam - known for eagle watching, but this riverside area often has open water and nearby swans in the winter months
- Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge - duck, goose, and swan habitats near the refuge’s wetlands, and river edges are excellent for winter waterfowl viewing
- Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway - scenic river corridor, though a driving route, offers pull‑offs and overlooks where swans can be observed on larger river bends and backwater bays
When is the best time to see Trumpeter swans in Illinois?
Peak winter months from November through February are ideal. Early mornings or late afternoons are best for sightings, as swans are most active near the water during these times.
How can I respectfully observe Trumpeter swans?
- Keep a safe distance – use binoculars or telephoto lenses for a closer look
- Stay on marked trails and avoid disturbing nests or resting swans
- Do not feed the swans, as human food can harm them
- Keep pets leashed to prevent chasing the birds
- Minimize noise to ensure the swans stay comfortable in their habitat
About the Author
Great Rivers & Routes of Southwest Illinois
Related Content:
Audubon Center at Riverlands301 Riverlands Way
West Alton, Missouri 63386
Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary301 Riverlands Way
West Alton, Missouri 63386
Melvin Price Locks & Dam #262 Lock and Dam Way Road
Alton, Illinois 62002
Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge364 Wildlife Conservation Rd.
Brussels, Illinois 62013