whistling swan

American  

noun

1. the small North American subspecies, Cygnus columbianus columbianus, of the tundra swan.

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whistling swan British  

noun

1. a white North American swan, Cygnus columbianus, with a black bill and straight neck Compare mute swan

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Etymology

Origin of whistling swan

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

John Haynes Williams’ whistling swan decoy went for more than $348,000, the most ever for such a decoy and the artist.

From Washington Times • May 12, 2018

He picked up feathers of 40 species of wild birds, including the whistling swan, osprey. great blue heron.

From Time Magazine Archive

The whistling swan yet remains in fair numbers, but it is to be feared that soon it will go as the trumpeter has gone.

From Our Vanishing Wild Life Its Extermination and Preservation by Hornaday, William Temple

About the only noticeable difference is that the whistling swan has a small yellow spot at the V-shaped point of the bill where it meets the eye.

From Game Birds and Game Fishes of the Pacific Coast by Payne, Harry Thom

The whistling swan being more of a northern bird, rarely migrating as far south as central California.

From Game Birds and Game Fishes of the Pacific Coast by Payne, Harry Thom