ExploreBird

Mute Swan

Cygnus olor

The Mute Swan is a large and elegant bird with a long neck! It often glides gracefully on the water and has beautiful white feathers.

Habitat: Lakes and rivers

Appearance

The Mute Swan is a large, elegant bird draped in pure white feathers. It has a striking orange bill adorned with a prominent black knob, especially noticeable on males. Its long neck is gracefully curved into an S-shape, setting it apart visually from other swan species.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderAnseriformesFamilyAnatidaeGenusCygnus

Mute Swan

Interesting facts

A group of swans on the water is wonderfully called a "bevy."

An adult swan's huge wingspan can be wider than a car!

Baby Mute Swans, called cygnets, are born grey or brown, not white!

Mute Swans often pair for life, sharing parenting duties for years.

Special abilities

Mute Swans can stretch their long necks to reach aquatic plants up to 90cm deep, helping them find food unavailable to other birds.

Mute Swans can use their strong wings for defense, delivering powerful blows that helps them fiercely protect their nests and cygnets.

Mute Swans can arch their wings and puff out their back feathers, which helps them look much bigger to warn off rivals or threats.

Measurements & details

Length: 125-170 cm
Wingspan: 200-240 cm
Weight: 9-14 kg
Lifespan: 7-20 years
Top Speed: 50 km/h
Clutch Size: 4-10
Incubation: 34-41 days

Diet & Feeding

These graceful birds mostly munch on watery plants, but sometimes nibble small bugs too!

Age differences: Cygnets consume more invertebrates for protein growth; adults primarily eat plant matter.

Primary Foods

Aquatic vegetation
Algae
Grasses
Water snails
Small aquatic insects

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Red Fox

Vulpes vulpes

Preys on eggs and cygnets.

eats

Curly Pondweed

Potamogeton crispus

Primary aquatic food source.

eats

Great Pond Snail

Lymnaea stagnalis

Occasionally consumed by cygnets.

eaten by

White-tailed Eagle

Haliaeetus albicilla

May predate vulnerable cygnets.

Traits

Feathered

These are animals covered in soft, beautiful feathers that help them fly, stay warm, and even attract mates! Think of all the amazing birds you know.

Webbed Feet

These animals have special feet with skin between their toes, which helps them swim super fast!

Herbivorous

Meet the peaceful munchers and grazers who find all their nourishment from plants, leaves, and fruits. They transform plant energy into life!

Ancient Lineage

These fascinating organisms carry echoes of the deep past, with ancestors that have roamed the Earth for an incredible span of time. They are living links to ancient worlds!

Longevous

Marvel at organisms that have an incredible capacity to live for a very, very long time, sometimes spanning centuries or even millennia. They are the elders of the natural world!

Wetland

These fascinating areas are covered by water for at least part of the year, creating a perfect home for unique plants and animals, like marshes and swamps.

Freshwater

Discover animals and plants that live in non-salty water, like rivers, lakes, and ponds! These watery homes are vibrant with life.

Migratory

Follow incredible journeys across the world! These animals travel far and wide at different times of the year, often to find better food or warmer places.