Currently today there are about 150 species of swans. Swans are almost entirely vegetarians, but range from grass to seeds. They are also known for extremely long necks. Most swans are purely snow white except for the bill and the feathers around it. However some vary in color to all black like the Black Swan of Australia and the Black necked Swan of South America with its black neck. Differently from other waterfowl the male helps incubate the eggs. The adults are also very protective of their young. They have been known to bite humans who interfere with their cygnets (young).

The Mute Swan

The Mute Swan is one of the 40 species of swans in North America. It is the swan we normally think of when we hear ‘swan’. It is known for it’s pure white feathers, and the way it holds its wings to carry its young. It is from Europe brought over my immigrants for yard birds and meat. Its voice is quiet and hoarse, which is how it gets its name.
 

The Mute Swan lives in the northeastern states. Its habitat there is ponds (fresh & salt), coastal lagoons, salt bays, marshes, lakes, and park ponds. The Mute Swan may be domestic or wild.
 

Their diet is mostly plants, but they also eat: seeds, roots of aquatic plants, and waste grain. They also eat insects, snails, worms, tadpoles, and small fish. Like other water birds, the Mute Swan eats by dabbling at the water and lowering their head and neck below the water, tails up.
 

The birds can first become a pair at around 2 years. However, only in 3-4 years they can begin nesting. In nesting the male helps the female gather nesting supplies, but only she makes the nest. The mound shaped nest can be found on the edge of the water in the rushes. The nest holds 5-7 pale green eggs. Sometimes the eggs amount to 11 but that is rare. Both the male and the female incubate the eggs.
 

In around 36-37 days cygnets hatch! The cygnets have the luxury of riding on their parent’s backs while they swim. The cygnets are able to fly in about 4-5 months, and are mature in 3 years. The Mute swan can grow to be around 4 12 tall. However some swans like the Trumpeter swan can grow to over 6ft. tall! Even though the Mute swan is smaller it sure is amazing than even the biggest swan!
                         

The End.