Family Ducks, Geese, Swans (Anatidae)
Least Concern
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)
Taxonomy
French: Cygne tuberculé German: Höckerschwan Spanish: Cisne vulgar
Taxonomy:
Anas Olor
J. F. Gmelin
, 1789,“Russia, Sibiria, Persico etiam littore maris Caspii”
.Despite its all-white plumage, apparently linked more closely to Southern Hemisphere species (C. melancoryphus, C. atratus) than to N swans. Hybridization with C. atratus recorded in captivity. Monotypic.
Distribution:
British Is, C & N Europe E through C Asia to NC & NE China and Mongolia; winters in S of range, reaching Middle East, and rarely N Africa and Pakistan.
Feral populations in North America, N Japan, Morocco, South Africa, SW & E Australia and New Zealand.
Descriptive notes
125–160 cm; 6600–15,000 g; wingspan 200–240 cm. Female averages smaller and has less prominent knob on bill; knob size is also consistently greater for... read more
Voice
Utters varied grunting and snorting notes, principally during courtship, whereas hisses are mainly... read more
Habitat
Frequently found in a variety of lowland freshwater marshes, lagoons, slow-flowing rivers, etc.,... read more
Food and feeding
Primarily leafy parts of aquatic vegetation and grain; minor quantities of grasses (once ripe bramble Rubus fruticosus berries),... read more
Breeding
During the local spring, e.g. lays eggs in mid (exceptionally early) Mar in England, but not until late Apr in NE China and early May in NE... read more
Movements
Truly wild populations mainly migratory, particularly where displaced by cold weather; spend winter... read more
Status and conservation
Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Range increasing due mainly to establishment of feral populations originating from birds introduced for ornamental purposes in... read more
The Birds of the Western
The Birds of the Western Palearctic Update of this species lists previously unpublished body weight measurements for more than 17,500 individiuals of different age and sex classes. The heaviest bird measured from this list was a 16.3 kg cob from Poland, hence the author considers the 22.5 kg record specimen’s weight doubtful. Breeding birds are considerably heavier than non-breeding birds. Adult males weighing in around 12.1-12.5 kg when breeding, while their average weight is ca. 10.2 kg-11.1 kg outside the breeding season. Breeding female means are also higher than non-breedings: 8.99-9.4 kg and 8.3-9.29 kg respectively.