What does the Bewick's Swan eat?

The Bewick's Swan's diet shapes where and when you'll find it. Understanding what it eats helps you predict where to look.

Diet overview

Herbivore (primarily aquatic plants, grasses, sedges, tubers, roots, and agricultural crops like potatoes and grains)

How it forages

Primarily grazers and dabblers. They feed on submerged aquatic vegetation, roots, tubers, and seeds by dabbling in shallow water. On land, they graze on grasses, sedges, and agricultural crops such as potatoes, sugar beet tops, and winter cereals. They often feed in flocks.

When it feeds

Diurnal, primarily active during daylight hours for feeding and social interactions.

Explore the Bewick's Swan