Trumpeter Swans

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Trumpeter Swan Restoration

Trumpeter Swans (Cygnus buccinators) historically nested throughout the state of Iowa; however, wetland drainage and unregulated harvest of trumpeters led to the extirpation of the species, with the last nesting pair occurring in 1883. Trumpeter swans were first given nationwide protection in 1918 with the International Migratory Bird Treaty. A nationwide survey in the early 1930s indicated that there were only 69 trumpeter swans in the continental United States, all located at what became the Red Rocks Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Southwest Montana.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources first developed a plan to restore trumpeter swans to the state in 1993. An initial goal was set to establish 15 nesting pairs by 2003. The first modern-day Iowa cygnets hatched from a wild nesting trumpeter pair in Dubuque County in 1998 and by 2005 there were 25 pairs nesting in the state. Trumpeter Swans became an ambassador to “trumpet the cause" for conserving Iowa’s wetlands.

Population & Breeding Sites

Between 1995 and 2021, the Iowa DNR released over 1,200 trumpeter swans in over 80 locations in the state. Swans were obtained from Iowa’s captive rearing program, zoos, private propagators, and other state swan projects. As many as 50 captive breeding pair partnership sites were established in Iowa at the height of restoration. Numerous individuals, organizations, and corporations contributed significant funding to the restoration efforts, estimated at over $250,000. 

Over 130 pairs of trumpeter swans now nest across the state and over 5,000 trumpeter Swans winter in Iowa, depending on the year. 

After much effort and support from the public, the DNR is excited about the future of trumpeter swans in the state. Our focus is now shifting to maintaining and creating suitable wetland habitat to help support the population and monitoring their population into the future as they continue to expand naturally. 

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Trumpeter Swan Reporting

The success of the Trumpeter Swan restoration is being monitored through reports of marked swan sightings. Information obtained through these observations helps us understand habitat and survival and reproduction of the individuals.

Over 4,500 observations of Iowa Trumpeter Swans have been reported to the Iowa DNR from as far away as Colorado, Virginia, Texas, and 2 provinces of Canada. Your observations help us learn more about Iowa’s Trumpeter Swans and inform important management decisions. We appreciate your help!

How to Report

You can help by reporting all sightings of marked (with collars and bands) Trumpeter Swans by filling out the electronic Trumpeter Swan Observation Form. Please record and provide as much information and detail as possible on the form.

When making observations of swan markers:

  • Carefully note the type (neck-collar or leg band) and color of the marker
  • Precisely record the alphanumeric code seen on the marker (this is usually two or three digits, such as Green 6P2 or White 3C).
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