English: Mute Swan
Russian: Лебедье-шипун
German: Hockerschwan
French: Cygne tubercule
Mongolian: Хуруут хун
Japanese: コブハクチョウ (Kobu-hakucho)

Body length: 140-160 cm
Wing span: 200-240 cm

Status: Rare species. According to the IUCN Red List categories and criteria, the species evaluated as-Near Threatened.

Distribution and Range in Mongolia: Breeds and summers in the Uvs, Boontsagaan, Orog and Ulaan lakes, and Khovd river.

Habitat: Breeds on freshwater lakes, generally with reedbeds, and along coasts. Hardy, requires only open water in winter. Nest a large mound of reed stems etc., or, on coasts, a heap of seaweed. Not shy, and can act aggressively. ♂ have territorial fights with wing-splashing rushes and long ‘slides’ on the water.

Identification: Huge. Plumage white. Neck very long, head small. Tail comparatively long and pointed. Bill orange-red with prominent black knob on forehead, black nostrils, cutting edges and nail. Neck held either fairly straight or, more typically, smoothly bent in S-shape when swimming. Threat posture with wings raised like sails and head lowered over back diagnostic. Sexes similar (♂ larger; bill-knob of ♂ larger, especially when breeding; colour of bill deeper orange on♂). Difficult to separate from Whooper in flight at distance; at times, however, head looks more abruptly ‘cut off’ in front.

• Juvenile: Grey-brown with pink tinge; bill first dark grey, then pinkish-grey, without knob. Separated from juvenile Whooper by darker and browner plumage. White plumage attained in 1st summer or 2nd autumn. A rare variety is born pure white (‘Polish swan’)

Population and Threats: in 1962, 22 birds were recorded on the Orog lake, 2 on the Boontsagaan lake, in 1974, 2 near the Khovd river Ulaan Mountain, in 1976, 8 were recorded on the Ulaan lake. Breeds on the Uvs, Orog lakes. Can be sighted at the Boontsagaan, Ogii, Olziit, and Buir lakes, Khovd river.

Conservation measures: Hunting prohibited since 1973, Included as Rare animal in the Annex to the Mongolian Government Resolution #7 (2012), included in the CITES and CMS, Annexes. Distribution area is included in the within the Uvs lake Basin Strictly Protected area. The Orog, Boontsagaan and Buir lakes listed as Ramsar sites, in accordance with the Ramsar Convention.

Further actions: Study on distribution and reproductive biology, in order to avoid disrupting the nesting and summering, livestock grazing should be restricted in these areas, create conservation management plan for the endangered birds, raise public awareness.