01-31-2003, 03:05 AM
[url "http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/cygnus/c._olor$narrative.html#contents"][#606420]^[/#606420][/url] Geographic Range[/url]
Palearctic, Nearctic, Ethiopian: The mute swan breeds in the British Isles, north central Europe and north central Asia. It winters as far south as North Africa, the Near East, and to northwest India and Korea. It has been successfully introduced in North America, where it is a widespread species. It is a common breeding species and permanent resident in various locations throughout Michigan. (Reilly, 1968; Granlund, McPeek, and Adams, 1994) [url "http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/cygnus/c._olor$narrative.html#contents"][#606420]^[/#606420][/url] Physical Characteristics[/url]
Mass: 9 to 13 kg.
The mute swan is a large bird, measuring 57-62 inches. The wingspan is 7-8 feet. The two sexes are alike in appearance, except that the male is generally larger than the female. Its plumage is white, and it is best distinguished from North American swans by the knob at the base of its upper bill, and the color of the bill itself--orange, with the tip and base colored black. The head and neck of the swans may sometimes be stained brown from water and mud containing iron. (Reilly, 1968; Terres, 1980)
[url "http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/cygnus/c._olor$narrative.html#contents"][#606420]^[/#606420][/url] Natural History[/url]
[url "http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/cygnus/c._olor$narrative.html#contents"][#606420]^[/#606420][/url] Food Habits[/url] [indent]
The diet of the mute swan consists of aquatic vegetation, and small percentages of aquatic insects, fish and frogs. Mute swans do not dive, but plunge their head and neck below the water's surface instead. Swans feed in deeper waters than the ducks and other waterfowl that share their habitat, and thus do not compete with them for food. Rather, food is made more readily available to other birds by swans because parts of the plants they consume float to the surface while the swans are feeding. [/indent]
[url "http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/cygnus/c._olor$narrative.html#contents"][#606420]^[/#606420][/url] Reproduction[/url] [indent]
Adults are not paired for life, contrary to the stereotype of the 'pining swan' who has lost its mate. In fact, some have been observed to have as many as four mates, or even 'divorce' one mate in favor of another. However, established pairs are more successful breeders than non-established pairs. The nest site is selected in March or early April. The swans either build a nest from scratch, or use a previously constructed mound, such as a muskrat house. The nest is large, made of aquatic vegetation, and lined with feathers and down. It is built well above the normal water level in swampy places near a pond or lake. It is possible for clutches of 5-12 to occur, but 5-7 is most common. The eggs are pale gray to pale blue-green. The sexes share incubation, though the female spends the majority of time sitting, and the male usually stands guard. Incubation lasts 36-38 days. The chicks are brownish gray (gradually turning white within the next 12 months) and only remain in the nest for one day. The male may often take the first-hatched cygnet to the water while the female continues to incubate the remaining eggs. They are able to fly in about 60 days. Chicks can ride on the backs of their parents or under their wings. By the following breeding season, the parents drive the young away. The cygnets then join flocks of other non-breeding swans, and during this time molt their feathers, becoming flightless for a short period of time. In the next two years, the cygnets begin to bond with a mate and begin to look for a suitable breeding territory. Swans do not begin to breed until about the third year.[/indent] [url "http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/cygnus/c._olor$narrative.html#contents"][#606420]^[/#606420][/url] Behavior[/url] [indent]
Mute swans are usually silent, as the name suggests. But adults sometimes snort and make hissing noises or puppy-like barking notes, though the sounds are not far-reaching due to their straight trachea. Also, the sound of the wings during flight--which has been described as a musical throbbing or humming--is very audible. Mute swans set up large territories of 4-10 acres, which can include an entire small lake or pond. Even in semi-domestication, the nest is strongly defended; swans have been known to attack other waterfowl and even people. Blows from their powerful wings can be especially painful. They can be dangerous to children, and are capable of killing or maiming some of the larger predators. Mute swans very rarely nest in a colony. There is no mass migration, though in winter there may be gatherings numbering more than 100 individuals at nearby open salt water. When swimming, a mute swan holds its neck in a graceful curve with the bill pointing downward, as opposed to other swans, which carry their bills level and necks erect. In an aggressive posture, the male often arches his secondary wing feathers over his back. [/indent]
[url "http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/cygnus/c._olor$narrative.html#contents"][#606420]^[/#606420][/url] Habitat[/url] [indent]
The mute swan is the common swan in the wild, in parks or on country estates in Europe. In winter, it is more common on marine waters. It resides on waters of well-sheltered bays, open marshes, and on many ponds built by damming creeks.
Biomes: freshwater lake, freshwater rivers[/indent] [url "http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/cygnus/c._olor$narrative.html#contents"][#606420]^[/#606420][/url] Economic Importance for Humans[/url]
[url "http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/cygnus/c._olor$narrative.html#contents"][#606420]^[/#606420][/url] Positive[/url] [indent]
Mute swans were domesticated for food in Britain. Markings on their feet indicated ownership. Eventual domestication saved the bird from becoming hunted to extinction there. Feathers were also used as quills for writing, the leathery web used for purses, and the wing bones for making whistles. [/indent]
[url "http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/cygnus/c._olor$narrative.html#contents"][#606420]^[/#606420][/url] Negative[/url] [indent]
Swans may attack people who approach their nests too closely. There are records of them knocking boaters off of jet skis. An adult swan can seriously injure a child. [/indent] [url "http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/cygnus/c._olor$narrative.html#contents"][#606420]^[/#606420][/url] Conservation[/url]
Status: [ul] [li]IUCN: No special status [li]U.S. ESA: No special status [li]CITES: No special status [/li][/ul]
The successful introduction and consequent expansion of the mute swan into North America has begun to pose significant concerns to native wildlife. The Common loon (threatened in Michigan) and the re-introduced Trumpeter swan are two species of primary concern. The Michigan population of mute swans has been increasing steadily since its introduction. This bird is very aggressive, and has been known to drive off such stubborn and similarly sized species as the Canada Goose and Trumpeter Swan. Wildlife managers will have to control the non-native mute swans in areas where native wildlife is being threatened. (Granlund, McPeek, and Adams, 1994)
There was a high incidence of lead poisoning in the mute swans of Great Britain, caused by the swans' ingestion of discarded lead shot that became entangled in aquatic vegetation. Since this problem was discovered, it is no longer a major threat to mute swan populations in Britain. [url "http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/cygnus/c._olor$narrative.html#contents"][#606420]^[/#606420][/url] Other Comments[/url]
The flight speed is 50-55 mph.
The greatest age recorded for a banded mute swan was 19. In captivity, they have lived 30-40 years.
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Palearctic, Nearctic, Ethiopian: The mute swan breeds in the British Isles, north central Europe and north central Asia. It winters as far south as North Africa, the Near East, and to northwest India and Korea. It has been successfully introduced in North America, where it is a widespread species. It is a common breeding species and permanent resident in various locations throughout Michigan. (Reilly, 1968; Granlund, McPeek, and Adams, 1994) [url "http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/cygnus/c._olor$narrative.html#contents"][#606420]^[/#606420][/url] Physical Characteristics[/url]
Mass: 9 to 13 kg.
The mute swan is a large bird, measuring 57-62 inches. The wingspan is 7-8 feet. The two sexes are alike in appearance, except that the male is generally larger than the female. Its plumage is white, and it is best distinguished from North American swans by the knob at the base of its upper bill, and the color of the bill itself--orange, with the tip and base colored black. The head and neck of the swans may sometimes be stained brown from water and mud containing iron. (Reilly, 1968; Terres, 1980)
[url "http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/cygnus/c._olor$narrative.html#contents"][#606420]^[/#606420][/url] Natural History[/url]
[url "http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/cygnus/c._olor$narrative.html#contents"][#606420]^[/#606420][/url] Food Habits[/url] [indent]
The diet of the mute swan consists of aquatic vegetation, and small percentages of aquatic insects, fish and frogs. Mute swans do not dive, but plunge their head and neck below the water's surface instead. Swans feed in deeper waters than the ducks and other waterfowl that share their habitat, and thus do not compete with them for food. Rather, food is made more readily available to other birds by swans because parts of the plants they consume float to the surface while the swans are feeding. [/indent]
[url "http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/cygnus/c._olor$narrative.html#contents"][#606420]^[/#606420][/url] Reproduction[/url] [indent]
Adults are not paired for life, contrary to the stereotype of the 'pining swan' who has lost its mate. In fact, some have been observed to have as many as four mates, or even 'divorce' one mate in favor of another. However, established pairs are more successful breeders than non-established pairs. The nest site is selected in March or early April. The swans either build a nest from scratch, or use a previously constructed mound, such as a muskrat house. The nest is large, made of aquatic vegetation, and lined with feathers and down. It is built well above the normal water level in swampy places near a pond or lake. It is possible for clutches of 5-12 to occur, but 5-7 is most common. The eggs are pale gray to pale blue-green. The sexes share incubation, though the female spends the majority of time sitting, and the male usually stands guard. Incubation lasts 36-38 days. The chicks are brownish gray (gradually turning white within the next 12 months) and only remain in the nest for one day. The male may often take the first-hatched cygnet to the water while the female continues to incubate the remaining eggs. They are able to fly in about 60 days. Chicks can ride on the backs of their parents or under their wings. By the following breeding season, the parents drive the young away. The cygnets then join flocks of other non-breeding swans, and during this time molt their feathers, becoming flightless for a short period of time. In the next two years, the cygnets begin to bond with a mate and begin to look for a suitable breeding territory. Swans do not begin to breed until about the third year.[/indent] [url "http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/cygnus/c._olor$narrative.html#contents"][#606420]^[/#606420][/url] Behavior[/url] [indent]
Mute swans are usually silent, as the name suggests. But adults sometimes snort and make hissing noises or puppy-like barking notes, though the sounds are not far-reaching due to their straight trachea. Also, the sound of the wings during flight--which has been described as a musical throbbing or humming--is very audible. Mute swans set up large territories of 4-10 acres, which can include an entire small lake or pond. Even in semi-domestication, the nest is strongly defended; swans have been known to attack other waterfowl and even people. Blows from their powerful wings can be especially painful. They can be dangerous to children, and are capable of killing or maiming some of the larger predators. Mute swans very rarely nest in a colony. There is no mass migration, though in winter there may be gatherings numbering more than 100 individuals at nearby open salt water. When swimming, a mute swan holds its neck in a graceful curve with the bill pointing downward, as opposed to other swans, which carry their bills level and necks erect. In an aggressive posture, the male often arches his secondary wing feathers over his back. [/indent]
[url "http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/cygnus/c._olor$narrative.html#contents"][#606420]^[/#606420][/url] Habitat[/url] [indent]
The mute swan is the common swan in the wild, in parks or on country estates in Europe. In winter, it is more common on marine waters. It resides on waters of well-sheltered bays, open marshes, and on many ponds built by damming creeks.
Biomes: freshwater lake, freshwater rivers[/indent] [url "http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/cygnus/c._olor$narrative.html#contents"][#606420]^[/#606420][/url] Economic Importance for Humans[/url]
[url "http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/cygnus/c._olor$narrative.html#contents"][#606420]^[/#606420][/url] Positive[/url] [indent]
Mute swans were domesticated for food in Britain. Markings on their feet indicated ownership. Eventual domestication saved the bird from becoming hunted to extinction there. Feathers were also used as quills for writing, the leathery web used for purses, and the wing bones for making whistles. [/indent]
[url "http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/cygnus/c._olor$narrative.html#contents"][#606420]^[/#606420][/url] Negative[/url] [indent]
Swans may attack people who approach their nests too closely. There are records of them knocking boaters off of jet skis. An adult swan can seriously injure a child. [/indent] [url "http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/cygnus/c._olor$narrative.html#contents"][#606420]^[/#606420][/url] Conservation[/url]
Status: [ul] [li]IUCN: No special status [li]U.S. ESA: No special status [li]CITES: No special status [/li][/ul]
The successful introduction and consequent expansion of the mute swan into North America has begun to pose significant concerns to native wildlife. The Common loon (threatened in Michigan) and the re-introduced Trumpeter swan are two species of primary concern. The Michigan population of mute swans has been increasing steadily since its introduction. This bird is very aggressive, and has been known to drive off such stubborn and similarly sized species as the Canada Goose and Trumpeter Swan. Wildlife managers will have to control the non-native mute swans in areas where native wildlife is being threatened. (Granlund, McPeek, and Adams, 1994)
There was a high incidence of lead poisoning in the mute swans of Great Britain, caused by the swans' ingestion of discarded lead shot that became entangled in aquatic vegetation. Since this problem was discovered, it is no longer a major threat to mute swan populations in Britain. [url "http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/cygnus/c._olor$narrative.html#contents"][#606420]^[/#606420][/url] Other Comments[/url]
The flight speed is 50-55 mph.
The greatest age recorded for a banded mute swan was 19. In captivity, they have lived 30-40 years.
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