[Objectives] The wintering phase is a critical component of the avian life cycle, providing essential habitats for waterfowl in wetland reserves. However, there is ongoing uncertainty in accurately assessing the utilization of these reserves by wintering waterbirds, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current conservation measures. Satellite tracking technology presents a real-time monitoring solution, offering crucial data for precisely measuring waterbird habitat usage during winter. This technology enables accurate quantification of waterbird wintering habitats in relation to protected areas. [Methods] In January 2021, a large net cage was deployed in Manas National Wetland Park, Xinjiang, China, capturing 22 Whooper Swans Cygnus cygnus using food triggers. These swans were subsequently equipped with ‘backpack’ solar-powered satellite trackers. Due to equipment malfunctions and a limited number of valid locations, data from nine individual swans were obtained, five from adult groups and four from juvenile family groups. After excluding data from the initial week of satellite tracking and from swans that had departed their wintering grounds, a total of 3 657 locations for nine swans were analyzed. Autocorrelated kernel density estimation (AKDE) was employed to compute individual activity areas, we then compare the sizes of activity areas between swans from the adult groups and juvenile family groups, and derive ten movement metrics. Additionally, generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) were used to investigate the relationships between movement metrics and the utilization of wetland parks by Whooper Swans in different groups. [Results] The daily distance covered by Whooper Swans averaged 2.43 ± 0.49 km, with an average activity area size of 4.18 ± 1.27 km. The mean activity range of juvenile family groups was 2.61 times larger than that of adult groups, and the mean core activity area size was 0.97 ± 0.30 km, with juvenile family groups being 2.49 times larger than adult family groups. Juvenile family groups consistently exhibited larger metrics than adult groups across all three aspects. Although juvenile family groups had larger wintering ranges than adult groups, the difference was not statistically significant. Activity areas overlapped with wetland park covers (14.87%) for both juvenile family and adult groups. Juvenile family groups displayed a higher proportional overlap with wetland parks compared to adult groups, indicating a greater tendency for juvenile family groups to move within wetland parks, although no significant differences were observed. Juvenile family groups had a higher rate of locations within the wetland park compared to adult groups. Adult groups exhibited a greater mean distance of locations from the wetland park than juvenile family groups, suggesting that adult family groups focus more on activities outside the wetland parks. [Conclusion] The results indicate that although there is no significant difference in the size of activity areas between wintering adult and juvenile family Whooper Swan groups, there are notable differences in their utilization of wetland parks. Juvenile family groups prefer to spend more time within wetland parks due to reduced human disturbance, richer food resources, and higher safety level. Based on these findings, it is recommended that relevant management authorities develop targeted conservation measures to effectively protect and manage wintering areas for Whooper Swans.