Mute Swan

Lifespan: The longest-lived Mute Swan recorded in Europe was over 40 years old.

Breeding: The building of the nest is usually initiated by the male. If the female agrees to the chosen location, she joins in the construction. Commonly, 5 to 8 eggs are laid, however, the number may vary between 1 and 11. The male acquires territorial attitude at that time: he patrols and guards the nest while the female lays the eggs. Sometimes he even incubates while the female feeds but, on the whole, the incubation is done by the female. Unlike males, females develop a brood patch during the incubation period: an area of bare, featherless skin with a network of blood vessels on the chest, which helps to retain warmth.

Appearance: The Mute Swan is the largest bird in our region. It has a white body and a long neck, which is often kept slightly hunched when swimming. The tail is long and pointed, the legs are black, and the beak is red with a black base and a black knob atop the beak. When threatened, the swan spreads its wings like sails and bends its neck in the shape of the letter ‘S’. The cygnets are grey-brown, their beak is dark grey.