a large swan (Cygnus cygnus) of the Old World, having a black-and-yellow bill
whooper swan in American English
noun
a common, Old World swan, Cygnus cygnus, distinguished by a yellow patch at the base of its bill, noted for its whooping cry
Word origin
[1875–80]This word is first recorded in the period 1875–80. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: Diaspora, authoritarian, graph, hat trick, massage
Examples of 'whooper swan' in a sentence
whooper swan
Several previously declining bird species are now thriving, including the red kite, marsh harrier, osprey, honey buzzard and whooper swan.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
I have seen kingfisher, barn owl, marsh harrier, and whooper swan at my place; my wife has seen little egret.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Swans found in fields in winter are usually whooper swans.
Times, Sunday Times (2018)
Whooper swans are named after their whooping cries.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Whooper swans: my heart soared, but not because of my identification skills, such as they are.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In the past few days, several parties of whooper swans have landed on the northeast coast.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He loves the elegant whooper swans, the murmurating starlings and the red squirrels that flourish because grey squirrels never crossed the river.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
But a different steam was drifting over one of the vast cooling towers - a bright white smoke of whooper swans (right).
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Then there were the whooper swans.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Whooper swans nest on the islands, eider and endangered longtailed ducks are spotted regularly — and the odd sea eagle pops up.