Bird watchers are all aflutter for a rare swan that has swooped up residence in Brooklyn.
Borough residents have recently noted the majestic bird’s new whereabouts, with several reporting sightings in the East River off of Williamsburg, and Prospect Park.
“On Sunday, I dragged myself away from the famed Staten Island St. Patrick’s Parade to visit NYC’s latest feathered celebrity — a Trumpeter Swan loafing off a fast-ferry dock in Williamsburg, Brooklyn,” John J. Gavrity posted in Facebook’s New York City Bird Photographers group. “It didn’t take long to find; it seemed like every passerby was stopping to photograph this stunner, phones up and Instagram-ready.”
According to Allaboutbirds.org, trumpeter swans are America’s biggest native waterfowl, spanning six feet in length and weighing over 25 pounds. Their breeding grounds are on wetlands in Alaska, Canada and northwestern coastal and inland waters.
In addition to their all-black bill, they are recognized by their distinctive trumpet-like call and long, elegant neck.
According to information acquired by Hell Gate, experts say that prior to now, there have been no recorded sightings of this bird in NYC. It is also one of only two swans native to North America. Local birders quickly reported the sightings to the Wisconsin-based Trumpeter Swan Society, who were surprised by the bird’s appearance as well.
“I can confirm it is a trumpeter swan,” Margaret Smith, executive director of the Trumpeter Swan Society, told Hell Gate. “It is a very rare sighting. I’ve never received any reports of trumpeter swans in New York City, and so it was pretty exciting, actually, to get those reports.”
Smith speculated that the likely adolescent swan has presumably come from Ontario, and may even be looking for love — having been spotted with one of Brooklyn’s common mute swans.
However, this possibility is not the most likely.
“My guess is that the young swan was exploring the area and probably saw the mute swan — saw a big white bird — and probably thought, ‘It’s a fellow swan,’” Smith added to Hell Gate. “Trumpeter swans are social creatures.”
A Reddit thread titled “A trumpeter swims in Brooklyn” shows a photo of the black-billed beauty swimming with this other swan, who sports a typical knobby orange-and-black bill.
“I wonder how long this pair has been together and how many cygnets they’ve raised,” posted one commenter, referring to young, juvenile swans.
“This trumpeter just appeared and they may not be mating,” noted another.