Lapland
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The Lapland national birds differ in size and habitatLapland national birdsThere are three Lapland national birds because Lapland is in three countries: Finland, Norway and Sweden.FinlandThe national bird of Finland is the whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus). In Finland the whooper swan is pictured on the 1 euro coin.![]() Photo: Olav E. Johansen/Ossimellom Whooper swans have a deep honking call and they are powerful fliers. Whooper swan pairs live together for life, and their cygnets stay with them all winter. Their preferred breeding habitat is wetland. Both the male and female help build the nest. The male will stand guard over the nest as the female incubates. She usually lays 4-7 eggs. The cygnets hatch after about 36 days and have a grey or brown colour. The cygnets can fly at an age of 120 to 150 days. See this whooper swan video. NorwayThe national bird of Norway is the white-throated dipper (cinclus cinclus). The choice of the dipper as a national bird is a little strange since not many have the opportunity to see this aqatic passerine bird.![]() Photo: Martti Hagman It nests near the water. It lays three to six white eggs sometime between March and May. If the young ones are disturbed, they will at once drop into the water and dive. The length of the dipper is about 18 cm (7 inches) Watch this dipper video. SwedenThe common blackbird (Turdus merula) or only blackbird is a thrush species. It is the national bird of Sweden. It is common in Sweden with a breeding population of more than one million pairs. In 1970 it was pictured on a Swedish stamp.![]() Read about other national birds of Europe.
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