Swans

Swans - The "Royal Bird"

I need only say the word "swan" and one immediately imagines one of the beautiful, white royal birds that have been so loved for many years.



There are around seven species of swan, but the four most common and recognised species are the Mute swan, the Black swan, the Black-necked swan and the Tundra swan.

Look! I found pictures of them! ^^

Today, however, I'm going to focus largely on the Mute swan, (Cygnus olor) as they are by far the most well-known and recognised type. (Seriously. Type "Swan" into Google images and about 85%ish of them are the mute swan!) They are also the type that we love to see drifting gracefully across lakes, of gliding through rivers on a bright spring morning. 





The Life of a Swan


Swans generally mate for life, only replacing their partners if they are lost or dead. Courtship begins between the ages of 2-4. This is done by displaying, or showing off to another swan (like most bird species!). While facing each other they dip and turn their heads. Swans may also “kiss” bills, creating the heart shape with their necks that the species is renown for.

It DOES look very much like a heart!

Nests are usually a wide mass of rushes and reeds, lined with down and built near the water's edge. The female lays two to seven whitish eggs, each about four inches (10 cm) long.When hatched, baby swans, (called cygnets) are known to be rather ugly (or at least very different from their white parents!) - see "The Ugly Duckling".

Aw, how can you call this ugly!?

After 5 weeks of incubation the cygnets finally hatch, being able to swim as soon as a day or two after hatching. Their parents will protect them for their first few months of their life; which is the reason it's best to stay away from nesting grounds during this period... parents tend to be rather aggressive!




The cygnets are independent in about 18 weeks, and ready to fly in 4 to 5 months when they may leave their home territory. However they are only considered fully grown in size after about 6 months.Then, another 6 months later, the young will finally have that oh-so desirable white adult plumage!In any case, if they don't leave to find their own territory, they will be driven off by their parents before the next breeding season. Like a lazy teenager being kicked out of the house. XD


Domestication of Swans

For many centuries, mute swans in Britain were domesticated for food!Individual swans were marked by nicks on the webs of their feet or beak to indicate ownership. These marks were registered with the Crown and a "Royal Swan herd" was appointed. Any birds not so marked became Crown property, hence the swan becoming known as the "Royal Bird". It is quite possible that this domestication saved the swan for being hunted to extinction in Britain. 

 



Other Swan Info!


Swans are the largest water fowl on Earth,  Mute swans weighing from 6.5 – 13 kg (14 – 30 pounds), and about 160 cm (5 feet) long, with a wingspan up to 2.5 meters (8 feet).A male swan is called a cob, and a female swan is called a pen.The Mute swan’s neck has more vertebrae than any other bird: 23,  as well as boasting some 25,000 feathers that make up its impressive plumage.Swans are actually very intelligent; being able to recognise humans who have been nice -or cruel- towards them. They do not attack humans without cause. (But can be aggressive during nesting!)The Mute swan is not actually mute! They can make a variety of hissing and occasionally honking (or 'barking'/'bleating') noises as well! (Talk about a misleading name!)

Overall, we've got to agree that swans are pretty awesome birds. (Both literally and figuratively! XD)

Anywho! Hope you enjoyed all that stuff on swans!
Dragina, awaaayyy!~ ^.=.^