| Found mainly along the Northeast Atlantic Coast south to Virginia, the mute swan is white with an orange bill that has a black knob at its base. This bird can grow to about fifty (or a little more) inches in height. The females, who breed once a year, lay up to eight greenish gray eggs in nests built of plants and feathers, usually not far from water. The eggs hatch in about five weeks. Mute swans have been cherished as symbols of purity and elegance for centuries. Native to Europe and Asia, they were transported to North America in the late nineteenth century by European immigrants. Some swans eventually escaped or were deliberately released into the wild. With little or no fear of humans, they are easily observed and provide opportunities for people to come in close contact with wildlife. Their vibrant orange bills with black knobs, white plumage and long, gracefully-held necks make them conspicuous. Their young, which have a dusky tinge and grayish bill, usually remain with their parents for about four months. Mute swans reside primarily in estuarine river habitats with smaller numbers on inland lakes and ponds. These mute swans are very dominate over the area they live in These swans have actually been documented killing mallard ducklings and Canada goose goslings. The female does all the incubating of eggs with the male guarding her. At this time he can be very aggressive. They are very large and powerful birds. When the males have territorial fights they can be quite terrifying as each tries to seize the others head and hold it under water. The cygnets are covered in a grey down when they first hatch, they are escorted round the lakes by their parents. The down then changes to a brownish white plumage, this then changes over the year to the white feathers of the adult swan. The birds fledge at between 120 – 150 days. The parents may then chase off the young, as they become adults. Breeding starts at three – four years of age. Aquatic plants make up a lot of the swan’s diet, but they will graze on grass and clover, as well as taking leaves from overhanging willow. Supplementary feeding may be needed when there is a lack of aquatic weeds. Maize, wheat and a small amount of bread may be given, but care must be taken to ensure that the grains and bread are not mouldly. The lifespan of the swan can be up to 25 years. |
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| Mute Swans AN ELEGANT BIRD |
| BACKGROUND IMAGE BY MARY ALICE BOWLES |
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