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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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

Word History

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above

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

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Cite this Entry

“Tundra swan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tundra%20swan. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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