Mute swan - description, habitat, interesting facts

Mute swan is famous for its snow-white plumage, due to which the bird is knocked out of the general color. According to some beliefs, individuals of this species are the embodiment of nobility and purity. If the swan has chosen a habitat near the person’s house, it will bring good luck to the family. Also, these birds are considered a symbol of fidelity, so their figurines adorn many wedding celebrations. It is believed that the swan promises a strong marriage. Of the sebaceous, the presented bird is considered the largest due to the fact that its wingspan sometimes reaches 2–2.5 meters.

View Features

1. Mute swarms belong to the goose family and are considered the largest among the seblike individuals. A graceful, large and white bird acts as a symbol of prosperity and fidelity. To date, it is believed that the mute swan is the largest bird that lives in the vastness of our homeland. This is due to its weight, which can reach 15 kg.
2. Due to their rarity and the appearance of individuals, individuals of this group are listed in many Red Books. We are talking about Belarus, Russia and the Republic of Tatarstan. Since the beginning of 1960, it was forbidden to hunt birds from this group, because there were less and less individuals each time. Thanks to the introduction of the law, the number has partially recovered, continues to increase, having already reached 350,000 goals.
3. If you want to see birds of this species, just go to the botanical gardens or artificially equipped parks with ponds. These birds adorn every water source, successfully exist in captivity and are not a problem for breeders.
4. It is impossible not to affect the external data of birds. They are large in terms of overall features, and can reach two meters in wingspan. The neck is elongated, thin, graceful. The beak has a bright reddish tint, the legs are dark and shortish. When an individual is in an aquatic environment, its neck turns into a zigzag, and its head is directed forward. Thanks to this, the bird looks even more refined.

Spread

1. These individuals do not remain in water areas with a strong current, they are more attractive to standing water sources. Usually found in ponds, reservoirs, lakes, rivers with a slow flow. The main thing is that reed thickets and other vegetation that serves as a shelter are present.
2. Individuals of this breed group are found on open spaces from Mongolia to the Scandinavian peninsula. They are often seen in Kazakhstan and China. Due to the increased hunting and poaching, it is now difficult to find individuals in their usual habitat. To preserve the view, animal advocates began to spread birds in other countries.
3. Mute swarms take root and feel great in African countries, in Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America. Due to close monitoring of the population, the population is only increasing. Therefore, we can say that while everything is under control, nothing threatens the birds.
4. When cold weather sets in, they set off to winter in warmer climatic regions. Usually they prefer the Caspian or Mediterranean Sea with a mild climate. In spring, individuals return to their native expanses and prepare for procreation.
5. To ensure their own safety and due to individual characteristics, flights are carried out in flocks. When the shipuns fall in bad weather, they descend and remain on the ground until the weather improves. For this period they put their paws and head in fluff, waiting.
6. To date, the population has increased so much that birds have spread to 70 countries. In any case, birds like standing water sources with lots of reeds and other thickets on the sides.

Nutrition, reproduction and lifestyle

1. These birds almost never leave the body of water, they hide from sight and rarely go ashore. However, some swans have already been fed that they can easily be near a person and take feeding from him in the form of pieces of bread.
2. Birds build housing for future offspring where there are many thickets. They prefer small lakes where no one will disturb the chicks. Interestingly, couples form for life. When satellites occupy the territory, they do not allow anyone to approach it.
3. The swan family feeds on vegetation, which is located near a water source. They also eat small fish, worms, and crops in rare cases.
4. Birds reach puberty at 4 years old. The female makes a laying of 6 eggs, hatching takes about a month. The eggs are hatched only by the future mother of the offspring, but sometimes the male replaces her if there is an urgent need for food.
5. In fact, excellent fathers come out of mute swans. They vigilantly guard the masonry, killing foxes with their powerful wings. Birds are extremely aggressive during the nesting period, they are fearless and selfless.
6. When the chicks are born, their mass is about 0.2 kg. After a short time, they can already get their own food, but at night they return to their parents for warming. After 4 months, the kids already know how to soar in the air. Individuals live for at least 26 years.

Mating season

1. Often, birds begin to nest in lakes with a large number of thickets. In such an environment, individuals begin to build nests. The presented swans belong to monogamous individuals. Therefore, they find a partner for a long time. As soon as the couple occupies part of the reservoir, it prevents other birds from approaching their territory.
2. During the mating season, both individuals swim in pairs throughout the pond. The male begins to spread its wings and lower its head into the water. The female acts in a similar way. After mating dances, the swan swims up to the chosen one and braids her neck. As a result of prolonged mating games, the female is completely immersed in water. Only the head remains on the surface.
3. It is at this moment that the mating process begins. After that, you will notice that adults begin to make strange noises. The pair begins to snuggle against each other's breasts. After the completion of mating games and dances, birds begin to build a nest. The process without fail takes place near water bodies or in shallow water.
4. Often swans place their nests in reed beds. As a building material, they use moss and grass. The result is a fairly large structure. Last year’s reed most often lies at the heart of such a nest. The bottom of the nest is covered with down and dry grass.
5. The female is hatching eggs on her own. The male at this time is engaged in the protection of the territory, which adjoins the nest. As soon as the swan senses or notices danger, he begins to show aggression and hisses viciously. The female lays up to 8 eggs. After 32-35 days, offspring appear.

Interesting Facts

1. The swans in question are able to take off only if they gain enough take-off. In addition, swans are not so faithful, as mentioned in most legends. If something happens to the partner, the individual will soon find a new half for itself. The problem is that such birds do not live alone.
2. Swans have a special statute in Denmark and the UK. In the latter case, the individuals belong to the Queen, so they are under close guard.Denmark, in turn, recognized the graceful birds as the national symbol of the country.
3. If individuals live in cold climates, their feathers will remain perfectly white. In the more southern regions, on the contrary, the color begins to darken a little.
4. Individuals do not get wet due to the fact that their feathers are constantly lubricated. A special secret is in the short tail of the swans.
5. If individuals feel the danger, they are able to develop a fairly impressive speed in water. In normal surroundings, birds are calm and lead a measured lifestyle.

Mute swans are a rather unique kind of swans. It is interesting to observe them during the mating season. Males always guard their family and will stand to the last. It is worth noting that if one of the family members falls ill, the swans will not go on a flight until everything is normal.

Video: mute swan and little swans