There are seven species of swans, all graceful and lovely. Some time ago we considered the one called trumpeter. Now let’s take a look at a close relative, the whistling swan.
It nests around the Arctic Ocean and the Hudson Bay region of Canada and flies to southern Canada and the United States for the winter months. It is strictly a water bird, larger than a goose and very graceful when either swimming or flying.
Among the seven species, the whistling swan has the sharpest, most piercing call, which accounts for its nickname whooper. Actually it doesn’t do much whistling, but makes a loud, musical “woo-ho, woo-woo.” It’s the whistling-like calls as it flies that have given it the whistling name.
It is related to ducks and geese, but looks much different and is much larger. It doesn’t mix with them except at migration time, when they might by chance pick the same wintering home. Migration follows three flyways - one down the Atlantic coast, another along the Pacific coast, and the third over the Midwestern United States. They fly in long lines and at great heights, at speeds up to 50 miles per hour.
Watching swans swimming in a pond or lake is a lovely sight, with long straight necks and sharp eyes searching the water for a fish. Beautiful snow-white feathers completely cover this lovely bird except for a yellow spot between the nostrils and eyes. The feet, legs and bill are black.
Full-grown males may weigh 25 pounds or more and have wingspreads as much as seven feet across. But in spite of their size, they float gracefully on lakes and ponds and are excellent swimmers. Leaving the water is something to watch. First, they flap their wings vigorously, to raise their bodies. Then, with wings still flapping, they run along the surface with their necks stretched out. Finally, they pull their feet back under their tails and are airborne. When returning to the water, they glide down, and just above the surface extend their feet to touch the water first, then slide a little before coming to rest.
They mate for life, showing much attention to each other, as well as their young ones. Cygnets (baby swans) are raised in huge nests, five or six feet across. It takes almost five months of the parents’ protection and teaching before they are “on their own.”
The Psalmist certainly enjoyed the creations of the Lord and often wrote about them. “The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. . . . He hath made His wonderful works to be remembered.” Psalm 111:2,42The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. (Psalm 111:2)
4He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion. (Psalm 111:4). Do you remember to thank Him for His care over you, and have you accepted Him as your Saviour?
AUGUST 7, 1994
ML-08/07/1994