All About Swans - Kitchen Cabinets

Swans are elegant, beautiful waterfowl known for their long necks, majestic appearance, and melodious calls. Found across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, swans inhabit ponds, lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. Read on to learn all about these iconic birds – from their physical features to their behavior and breeding habits.

Physical Features of Swans

Swans stand out for their large size, long necks, and all-white plumage. Let’s look closer at their distinctive physical traits:

Size

Swans are one of the largest flying birds in the world. The trumpeter swan has a wingspan of over 2.5 m (8 feet).
Male swans (called cobs) typically measure 46–61 inches long, while females (called pens) are generally 43–56 inches long.
On average, swans weigh 15 – 30 pounds. The trumpeter swan is the heaviest, weighing up to 38 pounds.

Neck

A swan’s neck is exceptionally long and flexible, comprising about half its body length.
Their neck vertebrae (bones) are extra elongated to allow them to extend and bend their necks into graceful S-shaped curves.
Unlike geese and ducks, a swan’s neck has twice as many vertebrae, enabling greater manipulation of the neck and head.

Legs and Feet

Swans have large, webbed feet that help propel them when swimming. Their feet also serve as paddles and rudders.
They use their strong legs to push off from the bottom when swimming and to take flight from the ground or water.
A swan’s legs are set far back on their body, closer to the tail than most other birds. This gives them a more upright carriage when walking on land.

Wings

Swans have broad, rounded wings spanning 5 to over 8 feet wide when fully spread.
Their large wing area provides enough lift to carry their heavy bodies. The wings flap slowly but strongly in flight.
Swans keep their wings partially folded when swimming, which protects the flight feathers from water damage.

Plumage

Swans have entirely white plumage, though some black swans exist. The downy underlayer is thick and waterproof.
Their outer feathers are firmly interlocked, oily, and slightly curved to repel water. This allows swans to remain dry even after extensive swimming and diving.
The immaculate white plumage signifies purity and elegance in many cultures. Female and male swans look identical.
An annual molting season replaces old worn feathers with new growth. Swans are unable to fly during this time.

Species of Swans

There are just seven species of swans in the world today. Here is an overview:

Mute Swan

The most common swan in Europe and Asia. It was introduced to North America where feral populations exist.
Adults weigh 20 – 30 lbs and are 48 – 60 inches long with a wingspan reaching 8 feet.
Named “mute” swans as they are less vocal than other swan species, though they hiss, grunt, and make quiet hoots.

Trumpeter Swan

The largest swan species native to North America. They weigh 20 – 30 lbs and are 56 – 70 inches long.
Named for their loud trumpeting calls, these swans are quite vocal with a wide repertoire of sounds.
Almost hunted to extinction in the 1900s, their numbers have rebounded to over 46,000 today.

Tundra Swan

Medium-sized swans that breed in the Arctic tundra then migrate south for winter.
They have black bills with a small yellow spot near the eye. Weigh 14 – 20 lbs and are 47 – 55 inches long.
Make a melodious, wavering whistle as they fly in V-shaped flocks during migration.

Whooper Swan

A large, vocal Eurasian swan that breeds from Iceland to Russia. It winters in northern Europe.
Has a yellow and black bill and weighs 15 – 26 lbs. Total length is 55 – 62 inches.
Makes a resonant, far-carrying “whooper” call, plus snorts, whistles, and barks.

Black Swan

A smaller swan native to Australia with black plumage and red bill.
Adults are 28 – 45 inches long, weighing 6 – 9 lbs. They are protected in Australia but common in captivity elsewhere.
Their haunting, bugling calls are unique among swans due to the dark bill.

Black-necked Swan

Medium-sized swans of South America with distinctive black necks and white bodies.
They have red knobs at the base of the black bill. Length is 33 – 43 inches and weight is 7 – 11 lbs.
Musical whistles with mellow hooting notes comprise their vocalizations.

Coscoroba Swan

The smallest swan species from southern South America. It has a white body and black bill.
Adults are 37 – 43 inches long but weigh just 8 – 11 lbs.
Their whistling call sounds like “cos-cor-oo-ah” which may be how they got their name.

Habitat and Range

Swans occupy a wide range of wetland habitats across an extensive geographic distribution:

Ponds, lakes, marshes – Swans favor relatively shallow freshwater wetlands with dense aquatic vegetation. These provide food and nesting sites.
Rivers and streams – Swans often live along slow-moving rivers, feeding in shallows and loafing on banks and sandbars.
Coastal estuaries – Some swans congregate seasonally where rivers meet the sea, taking advantage of food-rich tidal flats.
Park ponds and reservoirs – Many city-dwelling swans thrive on park waterways due to reduced threats and supplemental feeding.
North America – The trumpeter swan is native and widespread here, while the mute swan was introduced. Tundra swans migrate through.
Europe/Asia – The mute swan dominates wetlands across this region paired with the slightly larger whooper swan.
Australia – The black swan is endemic to Australia and lives in wetlands across the entire continent.
South America – The black-necked and coscoroba swans are native to wetlands from central to southern South America.

Diet and Feeding Habits

Swans are omnivores and opportunistic feeders, consuming a diverse diet:

Aquatic vegetation – The bulk of a swan’s diet consists of hydrilla, pondweed, algae, and other underwater greenery. They reach with their long necks.
Insects and larvae – Swans dabble at the surface to feed on aquatic insects like dragonflies as well as insect eggs and larvae.
Small fish – Swans will eat small fish that swim near the water’s surface which they capture by dipping and straining their bills through the water.
Amphibians and crustaceans – Tadpoles, frogs, crayfish, and shrimp supplement a swan’s protein intake when available.
Grains and terrestrial plants – Swans graze on land for grasses, sedges, corn, wheat, and agricultural crops.
Bread and grain offerings – Many swans adapted to urban areas have become reliant on humans feeding them bread, corn, and similar offerings.
Foraging style – Swans strain water through their bills to catch food, upend to reach underwater vegetation, or graze surfaces. Their long necks allow them to access a range of depths.

Swan Behavior

Swans exhibit a variety of interesting behaviors from hiding nests to threat displays:

Territoriality

Swans are highly territorial and claim aquatic feeding areas of up to several square miles for their pair or flock.
They defend territories aggressively from other swans with threat postures and attacks. Intruders risk being bitten by their large bills.

Nesting Sites

Swans build large nest mounds on the water’s edge or on islands usually 2 – 5 feet across and 1 – 3 feet high to deter predators.
Nests are made from reeds, grasses, sticks, and feathers, frequently reused year after year.
Swans will aggressively chase other birds or animals that venture too close to the nest site.

Migration

The tundra and trumpeter swans migrate in V-formation flocks between northern breeding grounds and southern wintering areas.
Whooper swans of Iceland and Russia also migrate south for winter while central European populations are often non-migratory.

Threat Displays

Swans signal their aggression by making themselves look bigger through erect posture and flared wings. Hissing and loud calls accompany this.
If threats continue, the swan may charge the intruder while striking with its wings and powerful kicks. Biting is rare though.

Swimming Style

A swimming swan coils its neck back in an S-shape then straightens it rapidly to propel itself forward. Its large webbed feet paddle underwater.
Swans often swim closely flank-to-flank with their long necks entwined as a pair or in groups known as bevies or wedge formations.

Preening Plumage

Swans spend much time preening – cleaning, straightening, and oiling their feathers with oil from a gland near their tail.
They reach every feather thanks to their flexible neck, ensuring their plumage stays waterproof and in good condition.

Reproduction and Family Life

Swans follow complex courtship rituals and exhibit strong family bonds:

Choosing Mates

Most swans form monogamous pair bonds that may last for life, though a new mate is found if one dies.
Courting pairs perform aquatic displays, synchronized head movements, mutual preening, and melodic duets. This strengthens their pair bond.

Nesting

Swan pairs build or rebuild a nest mound together in late winter or spring before breeding. The female incubates eggs.
The male will stay close to the nest and act aggressively to protect his mate and eggs from predators during incubation.

Egg Laying and Hatching

Depending on the species, swan clutches range from 2 – 12 eggs laid over a few days. The females incubates for 35 to 42 days.
Hatchlings have gray down feathers and are able to swim and find some food within a day, but remain dependent on parents for warmth and care.

Raising Young

Both parents guard and accompany the cygnets while feeding for their first year until they can fly and fend for themselves.
Cygnets ride on their parents’ backs for safety and rest during their first few months when swimming long distances.
Parents fiercely defend their young from predators, unfurling their large wings and hissing to appear more threatening if needed.

Young Swans

It takes 2 – 4 years for swans to reach sexual maturity and begin breeding based on the species.
Young swans stay with their parents through the first winter migration before separating to join flocks of other young swans.

Threats and Conservation

Some key threats facing wild swan populations today include:

Habitat loss – Draining of wetlands due to development and agriculture removes crucial swan breeding habitat.
Pollution – Water pollution from fertilizers, pesticides, oil spills, and other contaminants can poison or weaken swans.
Lead poisoning – Swans ingest lead pellets from hunting ammunition or fishing sinkers, causing poisoning and death.
Hunting – Some swan populations were decimated in the past by unregulated hunting for meat, eggs, and feathers. Most have recovered under protection.
Climate change – Drought and loss of migration stopover sites may negatively impact some migrating swan populations.
Predators – Foxes, raccoons, large birds of prey, snakes, and other natural predators take eggs or young cygnets.
** collisions** – Swans suffer injuries and casualties from colliding with power lines near wetlands during flight.
Conservation measures – Protected wetland reserves, lead fishing gear bans, wildlife rehabilitation, and public education help conserve swan populations.

Cultural Significance

Swans have inspired humans across cultures with their grace, beauty, and romantic symbolism:

Folklore and Mythology

In Greek myth, Zeus took the shape of a swan to seduce Leda, who bore the resulting twins Helen and Pollux.
Norse myths portrayed swans as Valkyries who took warriors slain in battle to Valhalla in the afterlife.
The Finnish epic Kalevala features a swan maiden character who weaves magical cloth for the story’s hero.
Scottish legends tell of children turned into swans for laughs or mischief, doomed to swim until an elder set them free.

Literature and the Arts

Shakespeare referenced swans’ musical dying breaths in The Merchant of Venice with the phrase “swan song”.
Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake tells the tragic love story of Odette, a princess cursed to live as a swan.
The Ugly Duckling, the famous Hans Christian Andersen tale, culminates with the ugly duckling maturing into a beautiful swan.
The Swan of Tuonela features as a mystical recurring symbol in the works of Finnish composer Jan Sibelius.

Symbolism

Swans often symbolize grace, purity, devotion, transformation, and eternal beauty in literature and myth worldwide.
The swan is pictured as sacred to Apollo and Aphrodite in Greek mythology, deities of music and love.
Swan motifs signify ideals of fidelity, longevity in marriage, and eternal love in many cultures.

Frequently Asked Questions About Swans

Here are answers to some common queries about these elegant waterfowl:

How long do swans live?

The average lifespan of a swan is 10 – 30 years depending on species. However, some individuals have lived to over 40 years old in captivity. In the wild, 20 years old is quite elderly for a swan.

Why are swans symbols of love?

Swans take one mate for life and work together to raise their young, inspiring romantic symbolism in literature and myth. Their graceful curves with necks entwined represent idealized loving bonds.

Which species of swan is the most rare?

The black-necked swan is considered near threatened with under 10,000 left in the wild primarily due to habitat loss. They are native to southern South America.

Are swans aggressive?

Swans can be quite territorial and defensive around their nests and offspring. They may threaten intruders by rearing up, flapping wings, and charging. However, direct attacks are rare and swans generally avoid humans.

Why do swans curve their necks into an S shape?

This graceful S-shaped curvature shows up during swimming, preening, and threat displays. It allows swans to maneuver their flexible necks into optimal positions with minimal exertion due to the anatomy of their neck vertebrae.

Do swans mate for life?

Most swans form monogamous pair bonds that last for life if both birds survive. However, if one mate dies, the surviving swan will seek a new partner. Trumpeter swans have been documented re-pairing even after nesting together for over 20 years.

Conclusion

Majestic, beautiful, and serene, swans hold a special place in nature, myth, and culture worldwide. Their unique adaptations allow them to thrive in diverse wetland habitats across continents. Swans form lasting pair bonds and make exemplary parents. Though still facing some conservation threats, most swan populations have rebounded under protection. Watching a swan preen its snowy feathers, swim gracefully alongside its cygnets, or trumpet territorial calls is a special wildlife encounter. The iconic swan evokes beauty, romance, and wild elegance at its finest.