Mute Swan

Cygnus Olor

Class: Aves

Order: Anseriformes

Family: Anatidae (Swans, Geese, and Ducks)

Distribution: Introduced to the United States, otherwise Eurasia. Breeding range extends from the British Isles, Scandinavia, southern Russia to eastern Siberia and south to Iran. in United States, along Atlantic coast from Mass. to N.J.

Habitat: Waters and well-sheltered bays, open marshes, and ponds.

Physical Characteristics: 56 to 62 inches, similar to Trumpeter and Whistling Swans, but have a black knob at the base of their bills. Wingspread is 7 to 8 feet. Swims with neck curved and bill pointing downward (not erect like other swans).

Longevity: 30 to 40 years (one report of 70 years) in captivity, 15 to 19 years in wild.

Special Adaptations: Vocalizations cannot be heard far off (hence, "Mute") because trachea is almost straight, but can beat wings to make a throbbing or humming audible from a great distance.

Habits: Males frequently arch secondary wing feathers over back as a threat posture. Usually silent but hisses or utter puppy like barking notes. Generally no mass migration in Spring or Fall. In Winter will move from ice bound freshwater ponds to nearly open salt water, gathering in flocks.

Reproduction: Maintains large territories, often an entire lake or pond. Can be dangerous as they defend nest so vigorously. Nest is a large pile of plants, sticks, reeds or roots, and lined with feathers. 4 to 6 eggs. Chicks remain one day in nest. Chicks will ride on backs of parents or under their wings.

Population Status: Not endangered, semi-domesticated or feral.

Diet: Seldom dive, but plunge head and neck under water and gather aquatic plants( their main food). Ducks often attend flocks of swans to eat the leftover plants freed from the bottom.

Notes of interest: Head and neck stained brown or rusty from iron in the mud- typical of birds with similar feeding habits ("adventitious coloring"). In England, the Swan is a royal bird; no one can own one except by a grant from the Crown and the privilege of a "swan-mark" (a letter or device cut into the upper mandible). This ancient custom dates back to 1482 and to this day the swans on the Thames belong to only the King and to two city companies.