Mute Swans

Description

Mute Swans are the largest members of the duck family, and are amongst the largest flying birds in the UK, weighing up to 15 kg. The sexes are alike in plumage, but males are generally bigger and heavier than females.
Swans feed in the water as well as land. They are almost entirely herbivorous, although small numbers of aquatic animals may be eaten. In the water food is obtained by up-ending or dabbling, and their diet is composed of the roots, tubers, stems and leaves of aquatic and submerged plants.
Swans form monogamous relationships that last for many years. Most people belive these bonds last for life, but divorces between pairs do occur. Unlike many other ducks and geese the male helps with the nest construction, and will also help to incubate the eggs.
The mute swan is a very large white waterbird. It has a long S-shaped neck, and an orange bill with black at the base of it. The population in the UK has increased recently, perhaps due to better protection of this species. There is less of a problem with lead poisoning now, since the ban on selling lead fishing weights. Some birds stay in their territories all year, while others move short distances and form winter flocks.
Swans eat aquatic vegetation, which their long necks equip them to take from the riverbed. They take the molluscs that cling to the vegetation, and also eat small fish, frogs and worms.They will graze on  grassy fields, and can survive quite successfully in a field of short-cropped grass.
Swans normally find enough food in the wild without supplementary feeding. It is only in freezing weather that extra food can be helpful. It is ok to feed bread to Swans, and unlikely to cause any long term harm, but there is no substitute for a diet that is sought after in the wild. Grain, such as wheat, and vegetable matter, especially lettuce and potatoes, can be fed to swans. 

 In England, swans are marked annually and this is called Swan-Upping for the Queen. 

 

Facts