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Identification
Two species of swan come to the UK each winter: whooper swans migrate from Iceland and Bewick's swans make the journey from Siberia. They both have yellow and black bills and can be difficult to separate; the patterns are unique to each individual bird and can be used to tell them apart.
Last modified: 21 January 2008
Whooper swanThe yellow on a whooper swan's bill forms a pointed 'v' shape on either side. They are bigger birds than Bewick's swans and have a honking voice which can sound like an old-fashioned car horn!
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Bewick's swanBewick's swans have more oval, rounded yellow patches on either side of their bill. They are the smallest swan species to visit the UK, not very much bigger than a Canada goose. Their calls are more reminiscent of an excited dog.
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