Stats

Lifespan: 10-20 yrs
Size: Huge
Diet: Herbivore
Activity: Diurnal
Social: Pair
Biome: Freshwater wetland
Range: Eurasia
Movement: Swimming
Breeding: Egg-laying
Defense: Armor
Status: Common

About

One of the heaviest flying birds, adult males can weigh up to 15 kg (33 lbs) — yet still take to the air. Despite the name, mute swans are not silent: they hiss, grunt, and produce wingbeats audible from over a kilometre away.

Life cycle

1.
egg
A clutch of eggs rests in a down-lined nest near water, covered and warmed by the brooding female.
2.
hatchling
A downy hatchling follows its mother to the water within hours and feeds itself almost immediately.
3.
juvenile
A juvenile grows its first true feathers, swimming in the family group and learning to dabble or dive.
4.
adult
Fully grown with adult plumage.

Learn more

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Cygnus
Species: Cygnus olor