whistling swan

whis·tling swan

(wĭs′lĭng, hwĭs′-)n. A subspecies (Cygnus columbianus subsp. columbianus) of the tundra swan found in North America and having a clear, honking call and a black beak with a yellow spot at the base.

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[Named by Meriwether Lewis after its call, the first part of which reminded him of whistling.]

whistling swan

n (Animals) a white North American swan, Cygnus columbianus, with a black bill and straight neck. Compare mute swan

whis′tling swan′

n. a North American swan, Cygnus columbianus columbianus, a subspecies of the tundra swan. [1775–85]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

whistling swan - North American subspecies of tundra swan having a soft whistling noteCygnus columbianus columbianusCygnus columbianus, tundra swan - swan that nests in tundra regions of the New and Old Worlds